WILD

When fading arguably the best team in the NHL (the Red Wings), you certainly must pick your spots. In this case, the surging Minnesota Wild are ready, willing, and able to put an end to the Red Wings streak in this spot. Keep in mind that the recent 7-game winning streak for Detroit is overshadowing the fact that the Wild have been red hot too. Minnesota is coming off of back to back wins by a combined score of 9-2. Not only was the dominance of the Wild impressive, the fact that one win came against the defending Stanley Cup champion Ducks and one win came on the road also raised a few eyebrows. The long history of success the Red Wings have had against the Wild also gives us some line value here. Detroit comes into this game expecting to win while the Wild come into this match-up ready to work all over the ice and do whatever it takes to notch this victory. The Wild are easily the hungrier team in this match-up and they are refocused after the All Star break. This is just the third game for Minnesota since the break and, if the first two are any indication, the Wild are certainly making good on their word (the Wild players had decided on a concious effort to hit the ice 'flying' in the second half of the season). The extra rest of two off days in between each game so far since the break has also rejuvenated the Wild. Dominik Hasek is likely to be in goal tonight for the Red Wings and his numbers against the Wild in his career are sparkling. He is 9-0 with a 0.99 GAA in his career against Minnesota. However, this included facing some poor teams through the years. There is nothing 'poor' about this season's version of the Wild. Minnesota has won seven of their last ten games and they've also been getting excellent goaltending. Niklas Backstrom may have felt pushed by the solid play of back-up netminder Josh Harding and Backstrom has responded. The results speak for themselves as Backstrom is now 4-0 with a 1.50 GAA in his last four starts. The Wild want this game badly and with how solidly they are playing on both ends of the ice right now I do not see them being denied tonight at home! History players will be all over the Red Wings here but based on current situational analysis, the Wild are the way to go here and Minnesota also offers fantastic line value here on their home ice

||an_shake.gif' border=0>

Well if nothing else, you certainly let the rest of us in on your pick for this particular game.

LOL ! geoffrey. I'd go with the Wings.||reallyhappy.gif' border=0>