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Posted at 12:25 PM EST.

7:05 PM EST. OT included. Boston is 5-4-3 after 12 games while the Wild are dead last in the Central at 5-5-2. However, according to the Sagarin Rating, Boston has played the easiest schedule in the NHL, which makes some of its under the hood numbers quite alarming. The B’s 1.93 xGoals For/60 is the fourth worst mark in the NHL. That coincides with their 25th ranking in high danger scoring chances for. The Bruins are not playing well enough to win or to string together some wins. As the chalk and now without several key players (David Backes and David Krejci among others), they are instant fade material against anyone when they are favored. Lastly, Boston’s usually reliable goaltender, Tuukka Rask has been in a two-year decline and is showing no signs of getting back to his formerly dominant self. Rask is a replacement level goaltender now.

Minnesota is playable here for so many reasons besides the one’s mentioned above. First, they are the superior team taking back a tag. Secondly, this road trip is one that couldn’t come soon enough, as the Wild have been home for six games over 12 days. This road trip ties for the longest of the season in terms of games — four in six days and after an unsatisfying 3-3 home stand, it will be important to get off to a good start. Teams’ often play their best in the first game of a trip in an attempt to set a tone for the rest of it. Finally, after enduring numerous injuries to key players in the first month of the season, the Wild have some healthy bodies back with the exception of Charlie Coyle and Zach Parise. Wild HC, Bruce Boudreau, has never finished below 100 points in any of his seasons with any of the teams he’s coached. That shows the heavy emphasis he puts on regular season games and consistency throughout the entire season. Despite their pedestrian record, the Wild have not lost consecutive games in regulation all season long and that was without several key players. Situationally, this one sets up well for the dog, as they embark on their first road trip of the year, they have the superior goaltending and overall, they’re the superior team.

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