Pucking Sports

Glen Anderson

Minnesota Wild (21-14-6: 48 points, 6th in Western Conference, 2nd in Northwest Division) at Calgary Flames (18-19-5: 41 points, 12th in Western Conference, 4th in Northwest Division)

While three Minnesota Wild prospects – Jonas Brodin, Johan Gustafsson and Johan Larsson – helped Team Sweden win a gold medal at the World Junior Championship inside Pengrowth Saddledome, current Wild players were watching. Or maybe they were relaxing. Or bonding. Or all of the above. Whatever they were doing, they were in Banff, Alberta for two days of practice and some team activities to clear their heads and refocus as the second half of the 2011-2012 season begins tonight in the same building the Swedes won gold. Despite going 1-6-3 over the last 10 games, the Wild sits in position to make a run at a playoff spot.
The Wild will have to deal with the Calgary Flames tonight without the services of Pierre-Marc Bouchard. Bouchard missed the two practices in Banff, as well as today’s morning skate. That means he’s likely out today. The Wild is expected to have Clayton Stoner back after the big defenseman missed five games before being activated from injured reserve yesterday.

Minnesota closed the first half of the season with a 3-0 road loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday. Josh Harding got the start in goal and stopped 32 of 34 shots.

The start of 2012 has not gone well for the Flames, who have lost their first three games in the new year, including a 9-0 drubbing at the hands of the Boston Bruins on Thursday. Leland Irving gave up Boston’s first six before Miikka Kiprusoff came in and allowed three more.

With Bouchard out, Casey Wellman will move up to the second line and Brad Staubitz will be back in:

Setoguchi-Koivu-Heatley
Wellman-Cullen-Johnson
Powe-Brodziak-Clutterbuck
Gillies-Peters-Staubitz

Clayton Stoner was activated from injured reserve on Friday, clearing the way for his return to the lineup. Greg Zanon also will get back in:

Schultz-Zanon
Zidlicky-Spurgeon
Scandella-Stoner

Niklas Backstrom will make his first appearance of 2012 tonight. He is 13-8-5 in his career against Calgary with a 1.87 goals against average and five shutouts.

Prediction:

Wild – 3 Flames – 1