When they played two-and-a-half weeks ago, the Wild were on a 9-0-2 run. Right now, they are on a six-game win streak, restoring their victorious ways after losing in both Calgary and Vancouver after the 1-0 shutout to Edmonton on Dec. 2.

And it’s not scrubs they’re beating up on in this stretch.

5-2 win over Dallas
6-2 over Boston
5-0 over Washington

During this streak, they’ve outscored opponents 28-9. Pretty damn good.

Oh yeah, they look a little different now, too.

Hughes news

Overshadowing the news of Tristan Jarry’s arrival as an Oiler (and now subsequent injury) general manager Bill Guerin pulled the trigger to get Quinn Hughes eight days ago, shipping Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, Liam Ohgren, and a 2026 1st-round pick.

“I think it’s going to take four, five, six games, but once we get rolling, I think we’re going to be hard to beat,” Hughes said, after scoring his first goal in the Bruins win Sunday. They are already rolling with Minny undefeated since his arrival.

Since he’s donned the Wild sweater, he’s got a goal and an assist, but is playing a lot. In fact, coach Jon Hynes utilized him for a career-high 32:02 vs CBJ, the highest total by an NHL player in a non-overtime game this season.

All in a day’s work for Hughes.

“I mean, when you have a player of his capabilities coming in, it’s just he does so many things in a game, whether it’s the plays he’s able to make, and he was on with different guys,” said Hynes.

In or out?

However, Hughes usage is somewhat by necessity as the Wild injury report is forcing more from their top blue liners, as the guts of their group has been out.

Jonas Brodin is day-to-day and hasn’t laced up since Dec. 11 against Dallas. Jacob Middleton has been ailing since Dec. 8. Both are questionable to return today, and are two guys who average 22 and 18 minutes of TOI, respectively, this season. Remember, it was Brodin who scored the lone goal vs EDM on Dec. 2 and led MIN in ice-time.

Coach Jon Hynes said Daemon Hunt and Zach Bogosian are out for Saturday. But Mats Zuccarello, Marcus Johansson, and Vinnie Hinostroza could all return this weekend, as well.

Zuccarello is a huge cog in their top-6, and when he’s in the lineup, the Wild are 11-2-2.

Look ahead?

It’s a big weekend for the Wild as they welcome the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday evening, then host the Nashville Predators on Dec. 23 in their last game before the Christmas break.

That Avalanche game will have a lot of juice, after the Wild snapped their 10-game win streak back on Nov. 28.

Minnesota nips on the Stars’ heels for 2nd in the Central, although it feels like a mortal lock already that they’ll meet in the first round of the playoffs (thanks for the intrigue, Gary).

Minnesota had a one-off road game in Columbus and collected two more points in a 5-2 victory over the ailing Blue Jackets on Thursday.

The big boys in Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy each had a goal and two assists, vaulting them over the 40-point plateau.

Driving the Gus Bus

Whether it’s good news or bad, we will not have to endure more Jesper Wallstedt discussions because he’s getting the start against the Avalanche tomorrow. Instead, it’s Filip Gustavsson in the Minnesota net this afternoon, who is cooking lately.

Winner of his last four starts, Gustavsson blanked the no-slouch Washington Capitals on 25 shots for his third shutout of the season.

The Oilers, of course, are still looking for their first goal vs the Wild this season, and the Wild have registered seven shutouts this season, a league high. Stingy, stingy group.

Notes:

Both teams are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games.
In that Dec. 2 game, the Oilers had seven High Dancer Scoring Chances vs the Wild’s five at 5-on-5, according to Natural Stat Trick. In all situations, it was 11-8 for the Oil.
I’d expect the McDavid vs Joel Eriksson Ek matchup. Eriksson Ek has 10 points (four goals, six assists) in a six-game point streak, so he’s doing it both ways.
Wild forward Marcus Foligno had three hits and played 14:32 in his 900th NHL game on Thursday.
Minnesota is 15-3-3 when scoring first this season.
Wild record at home: 12-3-4. Oilers record on the road: 9-9-3.
An Oilers win puts them at true .500 (17-12-6).
EDM is 4-6 overall in their last 10 vs MIN, but won their last two games at Grand Casino Arena, a season prior.

ARTICLE PRESENTED BY bet365

Gameday Previews

Featured

Recent articles from Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: Connor McDavid and Bobby McMann the focus in Oilers-Leafs McMatchup

McDavid reflects on upcoming Olympics, goal of winning Stanley Cup with Oilers: ‘It just wouldn’t be the same somewhere else’

NHL trade rumours: Artemi Panarin to the Oilers? Insider believes there’s a chance if he wants to chase a cup