Ice Showdown at Xcel Energy Center: New Jersey Devils vs Minnesota Wild
As the Minnesota Wild prepare to face off against the New Jersey Devils at the Xcel Energy Center, fans are bracing for what promises to be a pivotal game. The Wild's recent performances have been a mixed bag, but there's reason to believe they could turn the tide in their upcoming encounter.
In their last game on February 10 against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Wild fell short, managing only 1 point compared to their opponents' 5. Despite this loss, there were positive takeaways; notably, their powerplay goal and an impressive faceoff win percentage of nearly 67 percent during powerplays. However, they'll need more than just strong faceoffs to best the Devils.
The Wild's goaltending was less than stellar in that match-up with a save percentage of just under 84 percent. This is an area that will require immediate attention if they hope to keep up with New Jersey's offense. On a brighter note, Minnesota demonstrated physical dominance with a total of 37 hits – showcasing their ability to disrupt play and potentially unsettle the Devils' rhythm.
Looking back further at their February 9 game against Dallas Stars reveals another tough loss for Minnesota with only one goal scored on an impressive number of shots (39). The shooting accuracy simply wasn't there – something that must be rectified before taking on New Jersey.
The most promising performance came from their February 7 clash with Arizona Coyotes where they managed two goals and showed better control over puck possession as reflected in even-strength faceoff win percentages and fewer giveaways than previous games.
For Minnesota fans looking ahead, it’s clear that consistency is key. The team needs to capitalize on scoring opportunities while tightening up defensively – particularly in netminding duties where recent performances have left much room for improvement.
The upcoming game against New Jersey presents an opportunity for redemption and it’s crucial for players like Kirill Kaprizov and Kevin Fiala to step up offensively while Jonas Brodin anchors defense efforts. If they can combine physicality with precision around both nets, there’s every chance for a home victory.
Wild enthusiasts should mark their calendars for Sunday night hockey action scheduled on February 12 at St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center starting at 8:00 PM ET (7:00 PM local time). Fans can catch all the excitement live through various broadcast networks including ESPN+ nationally or BSN/BSWI channels locally within home markets.