Dallas Stars (1-0-0, 2pts) @ Minnesota Wild (1-0-0, 2 pts)
7:00 PM CT
Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, Minnesota
(Delving) Into the Wild:
Minnesota made the biggest splash in free agency last summer (and was probably a huge reason why the lockout had to happen) with their gigantic signings of Ryan Suter and Zach Parise.
Parise paid off immediately last night as he had two assists to help the Wild beat the Colorado Avalanche 4-2 while Suter provided some good defense (but not much offensively).
The Wild’s top line of Parise-Mikko Koivu-Dany Heatley should be one of the most dangerous in the league and the Stars have to be extremely careful of them tonight. Considering what happened to Dallas’ defense last night, whoever starts in goalie tonight will be very busy.
Past that top line, Mikael Granlund is one of the more heralded rookies this season and he also had a goal in his NHL debut against Colorado.
It looks like the Wild will be starting backup goalie Josh Harding in tonight’s game.
They have one injury of note. Defenseman Marco Scandella is out with a groin injury.
Possible line combos:
Parise-Koivu-Heatley
Setoguchi-Cullen-Granlund
Clutterbuck-Brodziak-Bouchard
Powe-Konopka-Mitchell
D-Pairings:
Suter–Spurgeon
Gilbert-Stoner
Falk-Prosser
Dallas:
Still no Jamie Benn but no problem as of yet for Dallas. Jaromir Jagr, Ray Whitney and Derek Roy had fantastic debuts with the team last night and more of the same will be needed tonight. The Wild are an explosive team this year and lots of scoring will be needed from Dallas.
Dallas had major problems with penalties last night so they have to clean it up today.
From all indications, it looks like backup Cristopher Nilstorp will get the start tonight to get some rest for Kari Lehtonen. Nilstorp was fantastic in his stint with the Texas Stars so it’ll be fascinating to see what he does tonight.
On the injury front, Aaron Rome has a groin injury and is still questionable. It might be best to hold him out tonight as a defenseman with a sore groin has no business playing against the speedy forwards that the Wild have. Reilly Smith lost some teeth last night after taking a puck in the mouth, but he seems okay to go if needed.
Probable lines:
Eriksson-Roy-Jagr
Whitney-Wandell-Ryder
Morrow-Fiddler-Nystrom
Garbutt-Eakin-Smith (maybe Sceviour)
D-Pairs:
Goligoski-Robidas
Rome(if healthy, Jordie Benn if not)-Daley
Dillon-Larsen
