Wild vs Hurricanes: Game Preview and Line Combinations
The Minnesota Wild (5-6-3) face the Carolina Hurricanes (8-4-0) tonight on the road, the first game in a back-to-back series. The Wild make only one change to their lineup.
Defense Update
Daemon Hunt will make his season debut, joining the third defensive pair with Zeev Buium. Hunt has not played an NHL game since October. This pairing will be tested on the road, where Minnesota has the last line change advantage. David Jiricek, who has no points in ten games and a minus-3 rating, will sit out.
Forward Lines and Healthy Scratches
The Wild keep their fourth line intact with Ben Jones, Yakov Trenin, and Tyler Pitlick, who have a 3-0-0 record playing together. Danila Yurov remains a healthy scratch for the third consecutive game after scoring his first NHL goal earlier this season.
Yurov played as the third-line center in New York, scoring his first NHL goal in that game. He has been scratched for the last two games, both Wild victories.
Yurov's continued scratches raise questions about his future with the team.
Probable Return
Mats Zuccarello is expected to return for Saturday's game.
Projected Line Combinations
- Kirill Kaprizov – Marco Rossi – Marcus Johansson
- Vladimir Tarasenko – Joel Eriksson Ek – Matt Boldy
- Marcus Foligno – Ryan Hartman – Vinnie Hinostroza
Author's summary: Daemon Hunt debuts for the Wild as Yurov sits out again, highlighting lineup shifts and a strong forward core ahead of a challenging road game.