Minnesota Wild Game Preview: at Detroit Red Wings

The team looks to rebound from a butter finger(s) like game Monday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets. In the second game of the Wild’s back to back, they look to take another step forward and go into the 6 day All-Star break feeling positive. The Wild has given twice as many as it has taken in its history against the Red Wings going 15-25-8, since December 27th, 2000. For the statistician, that gives the Wild a mere 33% percent chance at winning tonight. For the faithful, a Wild win is due.

More from Wild News

• Defenseman Matt Dumba signs one-year contract with Arizona
• Minnesota Wild reach agreement with Brandon Duhaime on one-year contract
• Minnesota Wild receive mixed grades for picks in NHL Entry Draft
• Minnesota Wild draft heavy on centers and home-state selections
• Minnesota Wild open regular season at home against Stanley Cup Finalist

Wild Goaltender Devan Dubnyk gets the start tonight according to Mike Russo. Look to see him continue to give his new team a chance to win. Although the loss against the Blue Jackets came by a two goal margin, it could have been a lot worse, and the Wild had plenty of amazing opportunities that were thwarted by amazing goaltending on the other end. The team continues to look confident in front of Dubnyk, and are definitely not out of play-off reach, as it sits last in the Central Division, and 8 points behind the second wild card spot.

Players that look to end their snake-bitten run for the Wild are Nino Niederreiter and Thomas Vanek. In the game against the Blue Jackets both nearly scored throughout the game.  Niederreiter hasn’t scored since December 16th and Vanek has seemingly been unable to score on anything other than the power-play. Both need to step up and find their confidence again. Hopefully Zach Parise and Jason Zucker continue their scoring surge until the rest of their supporting acts are able to pitch-in.

Detroit has won 6 of its past 7 games, and 4 of its last 5 since rookie goaltender Petr Mrazek took the net after Jimmy Howard inured his groin and is out indefinitely. Mrazek got the hook against the Sabers on Sunday after allowing 3 goals on the first 6 shots. However, Thomas McCollum held strong and only allowed an additional marker to help the Wings comeback for a 6-4 victory over the DOA Sabres. Mrazek will get the start tonight in Detroit. Detroit is currently a playoff contender holding its position at 3rd in the east and 2nd in the Atlantic division with a record of 26-11-9. Henrik Zetterberg leads the Red Wings with 41 points and is coming off a hat-trick game against the Sabres. Tomas Tatar is tied for 7th in the NHL for goal scoring with 21.

According to Mike Russo of the Star Tribune, known injuries are as follows:

Wild:

C Mikael Granlund ( recovering from wrist surgery) is out.

Justin Falk (upper body) and

Keith Ballard (concussion/facial fractures) are out.

Red Wings:

Johan Franzen (upper body)

Jimmy Howard (groin)

Jakub Kindl (elbow)

Tomas Jurco (back)

The Minnesota Wild face the Detroit Red Wings tonight in Joe Louis Arena, at 6:30 PM on FSDT, FSNO, FS-N & FS-WI.