Minnesota looks to upset red-hot Columbus.
After a overcoming a two goal deficit for a big win against the Jets, the Wild look to get another big road-win against a surging Columbus Blue Jackets team. Todd Richards club is 9-1-1 over its last eleven, with seven of their last ten going to overtime too. Their nine wins is tied for December’s all-time best (set in 2006 with 9-5-2) and one win short of tying the franchise mark for most wins in a single month. Sergei Bobrovsky is one of the best in the game and has posted a 2.25 goals against average and a .934 save percentage during that stretch.
Despite a better showing against Columbus recently, Minnesota has not had the best of luck in Columbus losing 16 of 23 lifetime at Nationwide Arena. Darcy Kuemper will be between the pipes for Minnesota. Kuemper has seen Columbus once before stopping 28-of-29 shots in his only start against Columbus. Niklas Backstrom has been activated from IR and will backup Kuemper tonight. Sames lines for Minnesota tonight after a great showing from the 3rd and 4th line pairings in Winnipeg.
Same pairings for the blue-liners too. Jonas Brodin is expected to be back this Friday when Minnesota hosts Toronto. Yeo says he's healthy, but doesn't want to rush him and have him experience another setback. Jason Pominville has been on a tear lately with seven points in his last five games. He's had success against the Blue Jackets; 8-4=12 in twelve career games. Check back at 5:45 for the gamethread and go Wild!