Alexander Shun | @alexpshun
Digital Content Manager | KFAN.com
Coming off a huge 6-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night, the Minnesota Wild will now aim to close their four-game road trip with a win over the division-rival Winnipeg Jets.
The Jets enter Tuesday night with a 5-4-1 record in their last 10 games and are looking to bounce back after suffering one of their toughest losses of the season Saturday night, a 5-2 loss at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche.
The Jets are led by Mark Scheifele who has 53 points in 52 games this season, including 25 goals by the veteran center. Rookie Patrik Laine has also been spectacular for Winnipeg this season recording 23 goals in just 47 games. Laine missed eight games earlier in the season with a concussion but has returned and played well since.
The Wild have won both games against Winnipeg this season and have earned points in 12 of their last 18 games against the Jets, during which they have a record of 9-6-3.
Wild players understand the importance of finishing this road trip with a win, something they have struggled to do on past road trips.
"This is the last game of the road trip and we want to end it well," Mikael Granlund said. The Wild winger recorded a hat trick in the Minnesota's win over the Canucks on Saturday night. "[After this], we 're going to be home for a while, so let's really get ready for this one. We all know it's a real good team over there, we gotta be on top of our game. After tonight, we'll go home, and let's think about Chicago after this one."
It will be a tough game for Minnesota due in large part to the size and physicality that a team like Winnipeg possesses.
"I think, maybe, they have the best top-6 that we've played against this year," Wild coach Bruce Boudreau said Tuesday. "It's something we really have to worry about in the checking department against those guys."
Of course, the noise in an opposing arena can always be difficult to play in as well, and it's something Wild players are preparing for.
"This is always a tough building to play in," Jared Spurgeon said "Their fans are loud and they get a lot of energy from them. I think the first 10 minutes is always big in this building, trying to weather the storm and come out with your game as well."
The Wild will look to close their road trip victorious and win their second-consecutive game when the puck drops tonight at 7:10 P.M. CST and can be heard on KFAN 100.3 FM.