So, if you’re looking at the Minnesota Wild lineup tonight, honestly, it’s gonna look a little weird. Maybe even a little scary if you’re a die-hard fan. The team is heading into Buffalo for a matinee game at KeyBank Center, and the roster is basically held together by tape and a few desperate call-ups from Iowa.
It’s been a rough week for the Wild. Like, "we can’t have nice things" levels of rough.
Just yesterday, the news dropped that Matt Boldy—the guy who’s been carrying the scoring load lately—is hitting the Injured Reserve. He’s out for at least the next four games. When you combine that with the fact that Joel Eriksson Ek is also on IR, you’re missing two of your top three centers/forwards. That is a massive hole in the middle of the ice.
Oh, and don't forget the blue line. Jonas Brodin and Zach Bogosian are also sidelined. It’s a lot.
The Projected Lines for Buffalo
With all these guys out, head coach John Hynes had to shuffle the deck. He didn't just shuffle it; he basically threw the cards in the air and hoped for the best.
Here is what the Minnesota Wild lineup tonight is expected to look like based on the morning skate:
The Forward Groups
Kirill Kaprizov is going to have to do everything. He’s skating on the top line with Danila Yurov and Mats Zuccarello. That’s a lot of skill, but they’re small.
The second line is where it gets interesting. Marcus Johansson is sliding into a bigger role alongside Ryan Hartman and Vladimir Tarasenko. Hartman is basically the Swiss Army knife of this team, so seeing him jump into that second-line center spot is no surprise, but he’s got his work cut out for him.
Further down, it’s a grit-fest. You’ve got Marcus Foligno, Nico Sturm, and Nicolas Aube-Kubel on the third line. It's a "don't let them score" kind of line. The fourth line features Yakov Trenin, Ben Jones, and Tyler Pitlick. It's basically a bunch of guys who are going to finish every check and try to survive their shifts.
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The Defensive Pairs
This is where it gets a little more stable, thanks to some big trades earlier in the year. Quinn Hughes and Brock Faber are your top pair. That is arguably one of the most exciting young defensive duos in the league. They’re going to play 25+ minutes tonight. They have to.
Behind them, you’ve got:
- Jake Middleton and Jared Spurgeon
- Daemon Hunt and David Spacek
Middleton and Spurgeon are the "steady as she goes" pair. Hunt and Spacek? They're the "please don't make a rookie mistake" pair. Spacek has been a nice surprise since being called up, but playing in a matinee on the road is a different beast.
The Goalie Situation
It looks like Filip Gustavsson is getting the nod. He’s been solid, but let's be real, he hasn't had much help lately. The Wild are coming off a 6-2 blowout loss to Winnipeg, and Gus was left out to dry more than once. Jesper Wallstedt is waiting in the wings, but against a Buffalo team that can put up goals in bunches, Hynes is likely sticking with the veteran.
Why This Matters More Than a Win
Look, nobody expects the Wild to be world-beaters with half their salary cap on the trainer's table. But this stretch is huge for guys like Danila Yurov and Hunter Haight (who was just recalled).
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The "State of Hockey" is usually pretty patient, but the team is currently sitting at 26-13-9. They’re in the hunt, but they’re sliding. If they can steal a point or two in Buffalo, it’s a massive win.
The biggest thing to watch? The power play. Without Boldy and Eriksson Ek, the second unit is basically a mystery. If Kaprizov can’t score at 5-on-5, someone like Tarasenko has to step up. He’s been a bit quiet lately, and tonight is the perfect night for him to remind everyone why the Wild traded for him.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're watching the game or tracking your fantasy team, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Ice Time: Faber and Hughes are going to be exhausted by the third period. If Buffalo is smart, they’ll dump the puck into their corners all night long.
- The "Iowa" Factor: Keep an eye on Nicolas Aube-Kubel. He’s a guy who plays with a lot of energy, and in a game like this, a random "greasy" goal from the fourth line might be the only way Minnesota stays in it.
- Matinee Weirdness: These 12:30 PM EST starts are always funky. Usually, the team that wakes up first wins.
The Minnesota Wild lineup tonight is definitely a "next man up" situation. It’s not pretty, it’s not ideal, but it’s hockey in January. Grab some coffee, settle in, and hope the kids from Iowa can hold the fort.
Keep an eye on the official pre-game warmups about 30 minutes before puck drop. Sometimes Hynes makes a last-second switch, especially with the defense pairs, depending on how Bogosian feels after his skate. Check the late scratches to see if Vinnie Hinostroza or David Jiricek sneak in.