Minnesota Wild continue West Coast road-trip against LA Kings
After a tough loss to the Sharks on Tuesday, the Minnesota Wild need to get back on track tonight against the Kings.
The Minnesota Wild are now 2-2 on the franchise most extended road trip losing to the San Jose Sharks 4-3 on Tuesday night. The 14-day road trip began Oct 29th.
Mikael Granlund saw his 10-game point streak end Tuesday night. He recorded 13 points (6-7=13) during the streak.
Wild defensemen have totaled 34 points (14-20=34) in 14 games Minnesota Wild’s defense ranks second in the NHL in most goals scored by team defensemen.
According to dailyfaceoff.com netminder, Devan Dubnyk will get the start tonight. Dubyk is (6-3-2) with a 2.25 GAA and a .93SV%
Opponent: Los Angeles Kings
A lot has changed in the Los Angeles Kings organization since the Wild last faced the Kings on October 25th.
The Kings have been playing without the franchises all-time winningest goalie and two time Stanley Cup champion Jonathan Quick. Quick will be out indefinitely after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus.
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Despite losing Quick, the Kings are now also adjusting to having a new head coach. Former Kings head coach John Stevens and assistant Don Nachbaur were fired Sunday after beating Columbus 4-1.
Saving the Kings season has now been put on the shoulders of interim head coach Willie Desjardins. Desjardins was last a head coach in Vancouver two seasons ago for the Canucks. Los Angeles is (1-0-0) under Desjardins.
Despite the chaos, the Kings have managed to win three of their last four games since they last played Minnesota.
Per dailyfaceoff.com, Jack Campbell will likely get the start in goal tonight. Campbell is (5-5-0) with a 2.50 GAA and a .918SV%
The Rundown: Minnesota Wild (8-4-2) at Los Angeles Kings (5-8-1)
Puck Drop: 9:38 p.m. Central time
Radio: KFAN FM and affiliates
Watch: Fox Sports North; Fox Sports app
All-Time Record vs. Kings: All-Time Wild Record: 29-19-15 (16-8-8 at Xcel Energy Center, 13-11-7 at Los Angeles)
18-19: Wild are 1-0-0 beating the Kings 4-1 on 10/25 at Xcel Energy Center.
17-18: Wild went 0-1-3 vs. Kings last season.
Team Series Leaders:
Minnesota Wild: Koivu leads Minnesota with 38 points (12-26=38) in 40 regular season games against Los Angeles.
LA Kings: Center Anze Kopitar leads the Kings with 34 points (11-23=34) in 43 games against Minnesota.
Wild Goalies vs. Kings: Dubnyk is 8-5-2 with a 2.42 GAA and a .924 SV% in 16 games against the Kings. Alex Stalock is 0-2-1 with a 2.93 GAA and a .889 SV% in four games.
Kings Goalies vs. Wild: Jonathan Quick is 13-7-4 with a 2.57 GAA, and a .897 SV% in 24 career starts against the Wild. Jack Campbell lost his only game against Minnesota (10/25). Peter Budaj is 10-9-3 with a 2.60 GAA and a .900 SV% in 26 games.
Injuries
Minnesota Wild: Eric Staal (Illness) game-time decision Decision; Matt Hendricks (undisclosed)
LA Kings: Jon Brodzinski (shoulder); Gabriel Vilardi (back); Jonathan Quick (torn meniscus); Paul Ladue (undisclosed)
Minnesota has an excellent opportunity to get back in the win column tonight facing the Kings. Los Angeles is bound to have struggles adjusting to playing for a new coach.
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They are also relying heavily upon backup goaltender Jack Campbell. It is the perfect time for the Minnestoa Wild to get a win against a team that is on the brink of a disastrous season.
All stats courtesy of nhl.com, dailyfaceoff.com and hockey-reference.com.