Clash at Xcel Energy Center: Minnesota Wild Host Columbus Blue Jackets

Minnesota Wild fans are gearing up for an exciting matchup as their team is set to host the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Xcel Energy Center. The game promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams looking to assert their dominance on the ice.

The Wild have shown a mixed bag of results in their recent outings. In their last game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, they suffered a narrow defeat in overtime, managing only one goal and falling short despite a solid goaltending performance that boasted a save percentage of 92 percent. This loss followed an impressive shutout victory over the Blue Jackets themselves, where they secured two points through sheer defensive resilience and flawless goaltending – not allowing any goals past them on 30 shots.

Analyzing these performances reveals some areas of concern but also reasons for optimism among Wild fans. The team's shooting accuracy has fluctuated; after scoring on 8 percent of shots in their win against Columbus, it dropped to just 4 percent in the subsequent loss to Toronto. However, defensively they've been robust, blocking numerous shots and making life difficult for opposing forwards.

Faceoffs have been another area where Minnesota has struggled recently; winning only around 29 percent against Toronto indicates room for improvement if they are to control possession and dictate play.

As we look forward to this rematch with Columbus at home soil, it's clear that Minnesota will need to capitalize on its defensive strengths while finding more consistency in offensive production. With home advantage and fan support at the Xcel Energy Center – known for its raucous atmosphere – there is every chance that the Wild can turn things around and add another win to their record.

The upcoming game is scheduled for February 26th at 7:00 PM local time (19:00 +00:00 UTC). Fans can catch all the action live on ESPN+ nationally or tune into BSN/BSWI channels locally within home markets.