Wild vs. Kraken: COVID-19 leads to new lineup against a new opponent
By Tim Johnson
Wild -1.5. 9 p.m. CST. 5-1. Bally Sports North . Thursday, Oct. 28. 2255. 98. 2-4-1
The Minnesota Wild will be without two of their forwards as the team heads into Seattle for an inaugural matchup with the expansion Kraken on Thursday.
Mats Zuccarello, who is the Wild’s leading scorer through six games, and Rem Pitlick are both in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocal, according to a team media release.
Connor Dewar, Kyle Rau and Jon Lizotte have all been recalled from the Iowa Wild in a corresponding move.
NEWS: The #mnwild has recalled Connor Dewar, Kyle Rau and Jon Lizotte from the @IAWild.
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) October 28, 2021
Additionally, Rem Pitlick and Mats Zuccarello are in the NHL’s COVID-19 Protocol.
More » https://t.co/lbGyMQjpdr pic.twitter.com/BXwG1ig2Yt
Pitlick is coming off his debut with the Wild on Tuesday night in Vancouver. He assisted on Matt Dumba’s third-period goal that turned out to be the game-winner as Minnesota remained undefeated on the road.
The players being placed on protocol comes after three Wild assistant coaches and general manager Bill Guerin testing positive for COVID-19
Getting sense #mnwild dealing with expandinh COVID-19 issue. Wild cancelled practice 30 minutes before scheduled practice while at the arena they’re supposed to practice in on a testing day here in Seattle. 3 assistant coaches (not on the trip) and GM Bill Guerin have had COVID.
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) October 27, 2021
The matchup at Climate Pledge Arena is the middle of the Wild’s three-game road trip that concludes on Saturday in Colorado.
https://twitter.com/mnwildScribe/status/1453506762619822086
Lineup
With the two forwards not available, the Wild will take these line combinations into the matchup with the Kraken.
#mnwild skating:
— Sarah McLellan (@sarah__mclellan) October 28, 2021
Kaprizov-Eriksson Ek-Fiala
Greenway-Hartman-Foligno
Duhaime-Sturm-Gaudreau
Dewar-Rask-Bjugstad
Familiar faces
Seattle defenseman Carson Soucy, a fifth-round selection by the Wild in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, was chosen by the Kraken during the Expansion Draft this past summer. Soucy, who had 31 points in three seasons with Minnesota, is one of three Kraken players who spent time with the Wild.
Left wing Marcus Johannson had six goals and 14 points with the Wild last season, and center Ryan Donato had 18 goals and 39 points over two years with Minnesota.
Power rankings
–The Wild remained seventh in the NHL.com ‘Super 16’ list for the second straight week.
–Minnesota is 11th in ESPN’s ‘NHL Power Rankings’ poll. It is a move up from four spots in the previous rankings.
ESPN said of the Minnesota:
"The Wild have been living close to the edge. They started 4-0-0, but in each game had to regain a blown lead. That kind of luck is bound to run out eventually, and it did for Minnesota against Nashville. What’s remained consistent is that the Wild’s best unit is proving to be a scrappy fourth line anchored by Nick Bjugstad."
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Betting odds
The Wild vs. Kraken odds on WynnBET has the Wild as a 1.5 favorite on the road. Seattle has -112 moneyline odds while Minnesota is the underdog at +102. The total goals is set at an over/under of six
Upcoming Wild schedule
Saturday, Oct 30: @Colorado, 8 p.m. CST
Tuesday, Nov 2: Ottawa, 7 p.m. CST
Saturday, Nov. 6: @Pittsburgh, 6 p.m. CST