Wild vs. Sabres: After unexpected break, Minnesota back at home
By Tim Johnson
12. Bally Sports North. Thursday, Dec. 16. 19-8-1. 7 p.m. CST. 9-15-4. 98. Wild -1.5
The Minnesota Wild make a return to home ice — just a few days later than they were originally scheduled to this week.
Tuesday’s game with the Carolina Hurricanes was postponed, the Wild are set to face the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday — the first matchup between the two teams since Nov. 19, 2019, when Minnesota earned a 4-1 win at KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
nothin' but good vibes #mnwild pic.twitter.com/1oBfiQbrAW
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) December 16, 2021
The Wild are scheduled to complete a three-game homestand with a matchup against the Florida Panthers on Saturday even with five Panthers players being placed on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list. The Wild’s matchup with Carolina was postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak on the Hurricanes.
Carolina, which has had six players placed in the league’s protocol since Sunday, is scheduled to play Detroit on Thursday night.
Minnesota, which has not played since Sunday’s loss in Vegas, has an all-time 14-8-3 record against the Sabres at the Xcel Energy Center.
The Sabres beat the Winnipeg Jets 4-2 on Thursday to snap a seven-game losing streak. Buffalo sits in sixth place in the Atlantic Division with 22 points.
Lineups
There is no changes to the Minnesota Wild lineup for the matchup with the Sabres. Cam Talbot, who is tied for first place in the league with 15 wins, is scheduled to get the start in net.
#mnwild lines, no changes
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) December 16, 2021
Kaprizov-Hartman-Zuccarello
Greenway-Eriksson Ek-Foligno
Fiala-Rask-Gaudreau
Duhaime-Sturm-Bjugstad
Brodin-Dumba
Goligoski-Spurgeon
Merrill-Kulikov
Pitlick, Benn scratches. Talbot in net
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Betting odds
The Wild vs. Sabres odds on WynnBET has Minnesota as a 1.5 goal favorite at the Xcel Energy Center. The Wild are also listed as -290 favorites on the moneyline with the Sabres being underdog at +245 The total goals is set at an over/under of six.
Upcoming Wild schedule
Saturday, Dec. 18: Florida, 1 p.m. CST
Monday, Dec. 20: @Dallas, 7:30 p.m. CST
Thursday, Dec. 23: Detroit, 7 p.m. CST