The main focus of the day is on the NHL trade deadline, but after all of that wraps up at 3pm EST there are still two games on tap this evening. One of these games features the Minnesota Wild and the Chicago Blackhawks who are currently tied with 72 points in 62 games. Needless to say this is a huge game for both teams.
Chicago Blackhawks @ Minnesota Wild
The Blackhawks won a hard fought battle in Phoenix last night coming away with a shootout win after giving up a 2 goal lead. The fact that this is a back to back game for the Blackhawks leads me to believe Turco will get the nod in goal. Turco has been subpar on the season going 11-11-3 with a .897 save percentage and a 3.08 GAA. The Wild will look to take advantage of the fact that the Hawks are tired and are playing their backup goaltender. The Wild are by no means in an ideal situation either, with their captain Mikko Koivu out with a broken finger. That being said the Wild have found ways to get points in his absence going 3-1-1 since losing Koivu in the first period 5 games ago. This should be a tight battle, but I expect fatigue to play a factor, which will give the Wild a slight edge in this one.
My Pick: Minnesota Wild +100 (Bookmaker.com)
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Written by: Niko de Jonge
Tagged with: Chicago Blackhawks • Minnesota Wild