The Minnesota Wild, having failed to dispatch the Winnipeg Jets, head to Nashville.
The Wild could overtake the Colorado Avalanche for home-ice advantage in the first round if they win out and the Avs lose out; whether they’ll be willing to risk key players on that chance, instead of saving them for the first round, is uncertain.
Ryan Hartman will miss tonight’s game due to a suspension, but he’s only at the top of the rest of the group (his time missed earlier this season plays a factor). The four big scorers–Kirill Kaprizov, Mats Zuccarello, Matt Boldy, and Joel Eriksson Ek–have had substantially more of an impact on the scoreboard this season.
Filip Gustavsson has been excellent in goal, putting up a .933 sv% in 38 games. Marc-André Fleury has been adequate, and also almost managed to fight Jordan Binnington one time before rudely being prevented. Neither goalie should have that tough a time handling the Preds’ depleted offense.
How to Watch
The game airs at 7PM Central/8PM Eastern on Bally Sports South and 102.5 The Game.