After completing a 5 game home stand where the team picked up 6 of a possible 10 points, the Minnesota Wild head back out on the road for a New York swing*.
Minnesota have already got the job done in Brooklyn against the Islanders, taking both points on offer in regulation. This sets them up nicely for New Jersey and another tilt at the Rangers who it seems like were in St. Paul only yesterday.
While the fans might complain about scheduling the same Eastern Conference team that we only get to play once each other's home ice, within the same week, the team most certainly wont be complaining about playing all 3 New York area teams in the one swing.
“I think we're due to go on the road. I personally don't like to have seven, eight, nine, 10 games at home. I think you get stale, but five is a good number,” said coach Bruce Boudreau, and I tend to agree with him.
With Devan Dubnyk having started in Brooklyn, his 6th straight start, we've seen the big man between the pipes for the last 2 weeks straight. With a road back to back to end the New York swing, Boudreau indicated that in all likelihood, Stalock would get a start and it looks like New Jersey is his spot.
In two career starts against New Jersey, Stalock is 1-1 with a 3.51 goals-against average, and a 0.877 save percentage.
“We have to have both goalies playing well. Plus, we have to play well in front of both goalies. Recently, we haven’t played very well in front of Alex. He tries his heart out, and we don’t give him some support so hopefully tomorrow that’ll change.”
Stalock's last start was in the 6-1 loss to Dallas where he was pulled in the 2nd period. The players came out after 1st intermission looking like they didn't give a fuck and Stalock payed the price. They owe him.
Let's play hockey!
Minnesota Wild | Steemit Beat Blog
Headlines, opinion, analysis and scores
from the Minnesota Wild.