MINNESOTA WILD VS CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS 7PM Central, Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota TV: Fox Sports-North, Fox Sports-Wisconsin Radio: KFAN 100.3 and affiliates Streaming: Fox Sports Go app Ok, overreactors, get it together! It’s only been two games, and although Minnesota hasn’t looked outstanding in either of its opportunities, we all know that Bruce Boudreau is the great fixer of things. He’s had three full days of practice (plus a day off for the team) to make adjustments and whip his guys back into shape. We’ve witnessed firsthand that he’s very capable of quickly finding solutions to problems with this roster, so there’s no need to panic yet by any means. Oh, by the way, in case you’re wondering, the problem right now is a lack of goal scoring. Finally getting back to work after another weird impromptu bye week, the Wild will hopefully do so with an improved look on the offensive end of the ice (you know, the end that we seem to be rarely visiting so far this season). With the currently high-flying Blackhawks in town, and after the Green ‘n’ Wheats mustered just two goals in their first two games, Devan Dubnyk could really use some support. Minnesota’s 6’6” netminder has looked even more gigantic than usual through the first two contests, and has been the sole reason that the Wild have had a chance in either game. Still, even the most red-hot version of Dubnyk won’t be able to hold the ’Hawks at bay by himself tonight, because they have been rolling offensively in the early parts of this campaign. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS As alluded to above, Chicago has been on fire offensively so far, potting a whopping 15 goals through three games as a team. Leading the charge are the usual suspects, the same guys that we’ve come to despise over the past decade. Yes, I hate to break it to you, but Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane have both been on fire, with 9 goals between them (5 for Toews and 4 for Kane), and 12 collective points. That’s good for third and fourth in the NHL in goals, though the two guys ahead of them, a couple of no-names both on the Maple Leafs, have played one more game. Like the Wild, the Blackhawks have also had a bit of a break, so maybe their three-day layoff has cooled their top dogs off a bit? Kane made headlines on Sunday when he mocked Auston Matthews’ “I can’t hear you” goal celebration in a beautiful display of hockey players actually showing some personality. The Blackhawks came away from that barnburner of a game with a loser point in a 7-6 OT loss. Patrick Kane said Auston Matthews joked that he’s going to get this duel image framed: “I don’t think it’s a moment that either of us will ever forget. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/enUbSFbJoB — Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) October 9, 2018 Providing hope for the Wild is what’s been happening in the defensive end for Chicago. Though they’re scoring by the bucket, the Blackhawks have also allowed 14 goals, so needless to say, it’s been a firewagon-like first week and change for this team. Corey Crawford remains shelved, but is reportedly nearing a return from a concussion that has kept him out since last season. In his place, offseason signee Cam Ward garnered attention for some very questionable pre-season performances, and sadly getting into the regular season has not made things better for him. Ward so far has posted a 4.62 GAA and .843 save percentage in three games, but his team has bailed him out by pouring in goals of their own. The ’Hawks currently lead the Central with a 2-0-1 record. Things were pretty bad in the Windy City last season, but if this team can get its goalie back and keep scoring the way that it has been, Chicago may return to prominence. STORYLINES It was mentioned in the last Game Preview that if the Jordan Greenway-Joel Eriksson Ek-Charlie Coyle line didn’t show a little more offensively, then that line would certainly be split up by the ever-tinkering Boudreau. This proved to be an accurate prediction, as the Wild had a new look put together in practice this week. #mnwild lines at least based on colored jerseys: Zucker-Staal-Eriksson Ek; Parise-Koivu-Granlund; Niederreiter-Greenway-Coyle; Foligno-Hendricks-Fehr/Brown — Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) October 8, 2018 I do like the idea of elevating Eriksson Ek to play with Jason Zucker and Eric Staal, as imagining the young Swede getting some more opportunities offensively is downright neat-o. Would love to see JEEK take a step forward offensively this season, and Bruce—a big fan of the youngster and the way he plays—is giving him every opportunity to do so. INJURIES Luke Kunin was cleared to return from his ACL injury, so he’s been assigned to Iowa to get some games. Crawford—as mentioned—is nearing a return, but remains out today. The Gamethread will post at 6:30PM Central, so swing on by. Below are the projected lineups, thanks to DailyFaceoff.com.<doc-sep>One team has been scoring goals as though they were playing in the run-and-gun 1980s. The other team’s goalie has been stopping pucks at a remarkable percentage. In a classic example of overwhelming offense versus terrific defense, the Chicago Blackhawks visit the Minnesota Wild on Thursday. Chicago (2-0-1) has pumped in 15 goals in its first three games, thanks in part to an early revival from its long-time franchise players. Jonathan Toews has five markers, third in the league behind Toronto‘s 1-2 punch of Auston Matthews and John Tavares. Patrick Kane has bagged four goals. As for Minnesota (0-1-1), it’s managed just two goals in two games, but Devan Dubnyk has done his best impression of a pitcher keeping his team alive without much run support. After a 36-save performance in a season-opening 4-1 loss at Colorado Oct. 4 — the last two goals were empty-netters — Dubnyk stopped 41 of 42 shots in a 2-1 shootout defeat Saturday night against Vegas. The 6-foot-6 Dubnyk owns a ridiculous .963 save percentage, yet doesn’t have a win to his credit. Is the four-day break between games something that worries him? “Those are things that I’ve come to learn that are very much out of my control,” he said. “There’s going to be some times in the season when we’re playing so many games and we’ll want some time off, so you just take the time when you can and use the days to practice.” While Dubnyk tries to maintain his form, the Wild want to find their goal-scoring touch. More puck possession would help, as would more shots. They’ve been outshot 82-51 in the first two games, and it’s hard to win in the NHL with such a discrepancy. How hard has it been for Minnesota to create good looks? In its first two games, it has created only two 5-on-5 chances in the first two periods of each match. “We haven’t been up to par yet, or even close, I think,” said Wild center Charlie Coyle. The Blackhawks’ arrival could spur a revival for the Minnesota offense. Only Vancouver has allowed as many goals (14) as Chicago, which has struggled for consistency between the pipes in the continued absence of two-time Stanley Cup-winning goalie Corey Crawford. . @KatieEmmer channels her inner Linval Joseph and Madonna in this week's episode of #SotaScoop! (Watch until the end, @mnwild fans.) pic.twitter.com/sRscnZK8QR — FOX Sports North (@fsnorth) October 10, 2018 Out since last December with a concussion, Crawford is still another week away from a return, which coach Joel Quenneville thinks will happen Oct. 18 against Arizona. In the meantime, Cam Ward has started the first three games and has ceded 14 goals on 89 shots, including seven in a 7-6 overtime loss Sunday night against Toronto. Chicago has minimized the damage of Ward’s .843 save percentage with the hot start of its mainstays. Toews’ hat trick keyed a 5-4 overtime win Saturday night in St. Louis, while Kane produced a pair of goals to wipe out the Maple Leafs‘ third period lead and earn a “loser” point for the Blackhawks. “I thought a lot of different guys chipped in and did some good things tonight,” Kane said of the Toronto game.<doc-sep>Cam Ward did all he could to keep the Blackhawks in the game Thursday night at Xcel Energy Center. But didn’t get the help he needed as Jason Zucker’s second goal of the game with 1 minute, 35 seconds left in overtime handed the Blackhawks a 4-3 loss. Zucker, who had two goals and an assist, beat Ward five-hole on a breakaway while Duncan Keith was napping. All four of the Blackhawks’ games this season have gone to overtime, and they’ve dropped the last two. Chicago joins the 1997-98 New York Rangers has the only teams to open the season with four consecutive overtime games. The Wild tied the game with 23 seconds left in regulation on Ryan Suter’s shorthanded goal after pulling Devan Dubnyk, who made 27 saves. Alex DeBrincat’s second goal of the game broke the Blackhawks’ power play drought at 13 with a tally with 17:31 left in the third and put them up 3-2. Patrick Kane assisted on DeBrincat’s goal to keep his point streak alive on the young season. Dominik Kahun scored his first career NHL goal and Jonathan Toews was marvelous again with two primary assists. Ward made 42 saves, including multiple stops in a dreadful second period. The Wild had a 30-12 edge in scoring chances and a 19-7 advantage in high-danger chances during 5-on-5 play. Chicago returns home to host the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night at the United Center. The Blackhawks hold a 1-0 edge in the season series after a 5-4 overtime win Oct. 6 in St. Louis. 3 Thoughts Holy Ward No one saw Ward playing like THAT when he signed in the offseason. The Blackhawks would’ve lost 8-3 if it wasn’t for his play between the pipes. If you thought this loss was on Ward you need to make an appointment with ophthalmologist ASAP. The defense clearly needs to step up otherwise when Corey Crawford comes back Oct. 18 it won’t matter one bit. Man on a mission Toews is a bad, bad man. The Chicago captain has played with so much determination this season that’s hard to see who will stop him. That was on display during DeBrincat’s first goal when he just tossed aside Matt Dumba, stopped on a dime and sent a pass to DeBrincat for the score. Jonathan Toews is a MAN ON A MISSION. A terrific individual effort to set up Alex DeBrincat. 1-0 #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/UALzxXUucm — Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_) October 12, 2018 Simply incredible That’s not inference? Eric Staal put the Wild on the scoreboard after he tackled Jan Rutta. That’s interference. C’mon now. Eric Staal won't miss this one! Zucker sets him up perfectly. The #MNWild cut the lead in half. pic.twitter.com/RudjmzSHli — Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_) October 12, 2018 3 stars<doc-sep>The first-place Chicago Blackhawks travel to St. Paul to face Devan Dubnyk and the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night at Xcel Energy Center. When a star player like Zach Parise leads your team in scoring, one would assume that the team is winning while scoring by the bunch. Couple that with a traditionally solid goaltender in Dubnyk, and Minnesota (0-1-1) should have a respectable start to the season. While Dubnyk has continued to show his excellence between the pipes early, the Wild offense has been head-scratchingly dormant. Through two games, Minnesota has only scored twice, including one by Parise. A clear lapse in production has caused Wild head coach Bruce Boudreau to shuffle young winger Joel Eriksson Ek to the top line. Hoping to kickstart the young Swede’s offensive juices, Boudreau and the Wild continue to hold steady behind Dubnyk’s .963 save percentage. As for the Blackhawks, they have not won a game in regulation this season. Still, Chicago (2-0-1) remains atop the Central Division. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane have combined for 12 points, including nine goals in only three games. The addition of Henri Jokiharju to the top defensive pairing has added five assists, and helped ignite the offensive surge with the third highest concentration of shots on goal. While the scoring has certainly improved, there are a few areas of concern. Alexandre Fortin will draw into the lineup on the third line for his NHL debut. The 21-year-old will provide some additional speed to the Blackhawks. He did not score in two games with the Rockford IceHogs this season. Fortin had 21 points (four goals, 17 assists) in 54 AHL games last season despite missing 23 games due to a lower-body injury. Chicago’s power-play has looked horrendous to start the season as they have gone scoreless. Subsequently, the Hawks have also struggled on the penalty-kill as the team has allowed four power-play goals in 11 attempts. Cam Ward has been the mail carrier for the Blackhawks, and will make his fourth consecutive start in net. He has a 4.63 goals-against average and .843 save percentage. Lineups Blackhawks Blackhawks lines DeBrincat-Toews-Kahun Saad-Schmaltz-Kane Kunitz-Anisimov-Fortin Hayden-Kruger-Kampf Fortin was the outside top 12 during the first set of lines, but he was then in them and Johnson was out the last few times — Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) October 10, 2018 Wild #mnwild lines at least based on colored jerseys: Zucker-Staal-Eriksson Ek; Parise-Koivu-Granlund; Niederreiter-Greenway-Coyle; Foligno-Hendricks-Fehr/Brown — Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) October 8, 2018 Podcast: How to watch Start time: 7 p.m. Central Location: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul TV: WGN<doc-sep>
AP ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Wild started the season sluggishly, with a four-day break on the schedule following two flat performances. The spark came midway through this matchup with division rival Chicago, with a big push by Jason Zucker. Ryan Suter tied the game with 23 seconds left in the third period and Zucker scored in overtime, rallying the Wild past the Blackhawks 4-3 on Thursday night. Zucker had two goals and an assist, including a breakaway backhander 3:25 into the extra period. Zach Parise sent a long pass across the red line to a streaking Zucker, whose shot zipped between Cam Ward's pads to give the Wild (1-1-1) their first win of the season. "I know the way I can play, and tonight was much more like it. I think everybody would've said the same thing about the first two games. We all wanted to step up and play well," Zucker said. "That's what true leadership is, just guys going out and showing it on the ice." Suter's takeaway gave the Wild possession on that play, after he batted in a backhander off a short-handed rebound of Parise's shot to make it 3-3. The 14-year veteran defenseman, coming off a career-threatening ankle injury in April, had two assists. "The first one's always the toughest," Suter said, adding: "It was good to find a way to win. It wasn't pretty, but it doesn't really matter." Particularly his tying goal that emerged from a mass of bodies in front of the net. "When they were banging it on the post, I didn't see Suter right there on the top of the crease," Ward said. "That's desperation on their part, and good on them." Alex DeBrincat had two goals and an assist for the Blackhawks, including a go-ahead score on a power play early in the third period, but Devan Dubnyk made 27 saves for the Wild including a thumping denial with his pad of Patrick Kane's close-range try in overtime. Jonathan Toews kept up his season-opening surge with two assists for the Blackahwks. He set up DeBrincat's first score during a 4-on-4 with a hard stop on a rush to slide the puck across the slot. Then he fed rookie Dominik Kahun for his first NHL goal less than three minutes later. Patrick Kane assisted on DeBrincat's second score, giving the Toews-Kane-DeBrincat trio a whopping 22 points in four games. Toews has a team-leading five goals and three assists for the Blackhawks (2-0-2), who have 18 goals in four games after missing the playoffs last spring for the first time in 10 years. Still, on a power play with 1:17 remaining in the third period, they couldn't help but be frustrated with the outcome. "We should've been able to put it away," DeBrincat said. "We should've been able to keep it in their zone and maybe even get a few scoring chances." Ward, keeping the net warm for the expected return next week of Corey Crawford from a concussion that cut short his 2017-18 season, made a season-high 42 saves for the Blackhawks. Each of their four games have been decided in overtime. "They went to the net hard," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said, "but he stood his ground and played well." Eric Staal scored for Minnesota in the second period, and Zucker tied it with 2.8 seconds left before the second intermission by snagging Staal's off-target pass and knocking it past Ward. "It gives you a better vibe, confidence," Staal said. "It wasn't the be-all, end-all, but it's big to get that first win." NOTES: The 20-year-old DeBrincat, playing on the Toews-anchored first line with Kahun, has 59 points in 86 career games. ... The Wild are 12-4-1 in their last 17 games against the Blackhawks. ... RW J.T. Brown made his debut with the Wild after being scratched the first two games. He replaced Matt Hendricks on the fourth line. ... The Wild are 0 for 7 on the power play this season. ... LW Alexandre Fortin, who played on the third line for the Blackhawks with Chris Kunitz and Artem Anisimov, made his NHL debut. He's already the fourth Blackhawks player to do so this season. One of them is Luke Johnson, who was scratched to make room for Fortin. ... This was Zucker's second career overtime goal. UP NEXT Blackhawks: Host the St. Louis Blues on Saturday. Wild: Host the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday. ___ More AP NHL coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports