Wilderness Walk: Game Day Edition

Having a game every other day sure beats what we had to put up with earlier this week, right? The Wild are coming off a tough loss at home against the New York Rangers. Tonight, they are playing the Detroit Red Wings at 6 p.m. Expect the gamethread up around 5:45 p.m.

The Red Wings are going to be coming to The X hungry after taking a lose to the Boston Bruins on Thursday. That loss puts the Wings at 3-5-2 in their last 10 games. I still feel like Detroit is in a good spot for at least a wildcard spot but they're going to be playing desperate for two points in tonight's game so the Wild. The Wild better come out in the first period a hell of a lot better than they did against the Rangers.

Only five games left in the regular season! The Wild have one more home game against the Winnipeg Jets before going on a three game road trip to face the who's-who of the NHL Central Division. No seriously, we have to face the top three teams of the toughest division in the NHL on the road to end our season. The playoffs are going to look easy after sweeping those games! D.R.U.G.S.!!!!!!

Also, happy 30th birthday to my wife Sarah! Don't hate me because I told everybody your age!

Wild News

HockeyBuzz.com - Tony Dean - WildHBcommunity: West Playoffs Taking Shape Tough Stretch Ahead for Wild
Tony Dean, cousin of Jimmy Dean (I always wanted to say that),  breaks down who he thinks our first-round playoff opponent will be. Hint: we played against them in one of the last three games of the season.

Feud with linesmen, wasted penalty-killing effort stand out in Wild's loss; Live chat at noon Friday | Russo's Rants | StarTribune.com
Wild streak ends. Rangers clinch Metro division. Were these the same linesmen in the Avs-Wild playoff series last year? Dumba does his best Undertaker impression in this articles photo.

The Defensive Improvement of Nino Niederreiter - Minnesota Wild - Articles - Homepage - Wild Xtra
Yeo doesn't care about goals. If you can't play in your own end then to the 4th line with you!

Off the Trail

Patrick Kane skates with Blackhawks but still seven weeks from return | Puck Daddy - Yahoo Sports
Seven weeks, eh?
(checks calendar)
Yep, we should beat the Blackhawks in the playoffs by then!

Why Lightning restricting tickets, opposing logos sends wrong message - Yahoo Sports
Tampa Bay Lightning only want you spending money on tickets and concessions ONLY if you do it they way they want you to!

Enemy News

Check out Winging It In Motown for all your Detroit Red Wings news. Scout the enemy. Beat the enemy.