The Minnesota Wild are trying to rebound from a strange loss Tuesday to the Maple Leafs in Toronto, a game that saw them dominate shots on goal 37-14, but somehow ended up losing 4-1.
Here are some things to note as they prepare to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in Tampa Thursday night.
The stellar play of Martin St. Louis has been a big reason for the Tampa Bay Lightning’s current surge, reports the Associated Press, and it would be a major blow if a current lower-back injury keeps him out for any amount of time – and a boon to the Wild tonight.
St. Louis, at age 38, trails only Sidney Crosby’s 12 points for most in the league after scoring twice and adding an assist in Tuesday’s 5-1 win over Los Angeles, says Yahoo! Sports.
Coach Mike Yeo has said he isn’t certain if goaltender Niklas Backstrom, who hasn’t played since suffering a knee strain against Nashville on Oct. 8, will be healthy enough to start this contest. If he can’t go, Josh Harding, who is 3-1-0 with a 0.94 goals-against average in three starts and two relief appearances, likely will get the nod.
Th Wild had to pull Darcy Kuemper from the net in the second period to Tuesday’s Toronto loss.
Minnesota is 5-1-1 against Tampa Bay in the last seven meetings between the two, according to Fox Sports North.
And Michael Russo of the Star Tribune has a look at rookie defensemen Matt Dumba, who watched the Toronto game from the press box rather than on the ice.
Dumba is 19, and WIld GM Fletcher tells Russo he is unsure “he’s an every-night player right now.”
Dumba, drafted seventh overall in the 2012 draft, has played four games, Russo notes. He scored his first career goal in Saturday’s win over Dallas.
