Opinion
3 min read

Wild Predators Clash at Xcel: Minnesota's Ice Battle Awaits

Minnesota Wild fans, brace yourselves for a pivotal showdown as the Nashville Predators skate into St. Paul. The Wild are set to defend their territory at the Xcel Energy Center, and based on recent performances, this game promises to be an electrifying encounter.


Apr 6, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Matt Boldy (12) handles the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at PPG Paints Arena. Pittsburgh won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Wild's last outing on February 28 against the Carolina Hurricanes was a nail-biter that ended in a narrow 3-2 defeat. Despite this loss, there were positive takeaways; the team fired off 30 shots and maintained a solid save percentage of 100 percent thanks to stellar goaltending. However, faceoff struggles were apparent with only a 36 percent win rate—a facet of play they'll need to improve upon.


Earlier victories tell us that when the Wild hit their stride, they're formidable opponents. Their February 25 triumph over the Seattle Kraken showcased their offensive prowess with five goals from 31 shots—a shooting percentage of 16 percent—and an impressive powerplay performance netting two goals. Notably, their faceoff win rate improved significantly to 52 percent in this matchup.


In another impressive display on February 24 against the Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota demonstrated resilience by overturning a deficit with three third-period goals leading them to a thrilling victory. The team's shooting percentage was through the roof at an astounding rate of 20 percent—indicating when they shoot, they score big.


The upcoming clash will test Minnesota's ability to capitalize on these strengths while addressing weaknesses exposed in past games—particularly in faceoffs and maintaining puck control under pressure.


The Predators are not opponents to be taken lightly; they come into this game with their own set of skills and strategies that could pose challenges for MIN. It will be crucial for Minnesota’s defensemen and forwards alike not only to thwart Nashville’s attacks but also create scoring opportunities through quick transitions and sharpshooting accuracy.


As March approaches bringing playoff implications along with it every point becomes increasingly valuable for teams like MIN who are vying for postseason contention. This makes every game including this one against NSH critical as it could very well influence playoff positioning down the line.


Fans should mark their calendars for March 10th at Xcel Energy Center where action kicks off at precisely half-past seven in the evening local time (7:30 PM). For those unable or preferring not attend live TNT provides television coverage while Max offers internet streaming options ensuring no one misses out on what is sure be an intense battle ice between these two conference rivals.

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