ST. PAUL - The Minnesota Wild are set to host the Edmonton Oilers in the final game of their three-game homestand.
The Wild lost 7-3 to the Los Angeles Kings on the first game of the homestand and followed it up with a 5-4 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets and now are set to host the Edmonton Oilers who have struggled a bit this season.
The Oilers currently have a 1-3-1 record, are fifth in the Pacific Division, and just lost their captain and the best player in the NHL, Connor McDavid, to an injury. They also can't call anyone up due to cap constraints so it is expected the Oilers will play 11 forwards and 7 defenders against the Wild tonight.
Nonetheless, the Wild need to set the tone and this is how they can do that.
1) Score early
The Oilers are 0-2-0 when the opposing team scores first and 1-1-1 when they score first so the Wild need to get into the game early and score first.
Minnesota on the other hand, has allowed the first goal in each of the last two games. The Wild's only two wins this year have come when they have scored first and are 2-1-0 when they score first.
Without McDavid for the first time this year, the Oilers will need to try and find more offense within their team and show off their depth. That is why the Wild can play spoiler to that and add more pressure with an early goal.
If the Wild want to end the homestand with a win and get back into the winning column before going on the road, they are going to need an early goal to set some momentum.
2) Express some physicality
The Wild's team identity has always been a team to be tough to play against. That has always come from outhitting the other team and having guys who aren't scared to step up for teammates with fights.
Minnesota currently ranks 12th in the NHL in team hits while the Oilers rank seventh. Starting the season 2-2-1 and losing their last two games, the WIld need to get back to their identity and that's outmuscling the other team and expressing themselves physically.
Marcus Foligno leads the NHL in hits with 24 in five games played but Oilers' Evander Kane is right behind him with 19. Without McDavid, the Oilers may come out flying with hits to separate the Wild from the puck so it will be very important for Minnesota to match that and more if they want a good chance at finishing the three-game homestand with a win.
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