GAMEDAY: Wild vs. Canucks

The Minnesota Wild skates against heated divisional rival the Vancouver Canucks tonight at Xcel Energy Center. It’s the first time the Wild skates against a Northwest Division opponent since opening night, nearly three weeks ago. With nearly 20 percent of the season in the books, during this abbreviated 48-game schedule, it’s seems a little odd that Minnesota hasn’t played more games against divisional opponents. However, tonight’s contest knocks that stat to the curb, as seven of the Wild’s next nine games are against opponents within its division. The Wild hopes that seeing some familiar foes kick-starts the team, getting off to a .500 start.

Minnesota will suit up newly acquired Mike Rupp, who was traded from the New York Rangers on Sunday in exchange for forwards Darroll Powe and Nick Palmieri. At 6-foot-5 and 243-pounds, Rupp adds the elements of size and grit to the lineup. The 10-year NHL vet brings Stanley Cup experience to the locker room, scoring the Cup clinching goal for the New Jersey Devils in 2003.

The Wild also will make a few changes amongst the forward lines, at least to start the game. In his second NHL game, Charlie Coyle will play alongside Mikko Koivu and Zach Parise. Dany Heatley has been moved to a line with Matt Cullen and Pierre-Marc Bouchard. Rupp will skate with Zenon Konopka and Devin Setoguchi, while Mikael Granlund will be a healthy scratch.

The Wild was edged in its last outing on Monday, 2-1, by the Phoenix Coyotes. Zach Parise scored the club’s lone goal, the 200th of his NHL career. Parise took a Phoenix turnover to pay dirt, beating Mike Smith low to the blocker side from the left circle. Goaltender Niklas Backstrom made 32 saves in the losing effort.

On Monday, the Canucks went into Edmonton and topped the Oilers in overtime, 3-2. Kevin Bieksa tied the score late in regulation, and then Luongo stopped Taylor Hall's penalty shot in the extra period. Chris Tanev scored his first NHL goal with 20 seconds left in OT for the winner.

Tonight marks the first of four meetings between the Wild and Vancouver. The Wild went 2-3-1 versus the Canucks last season. The Canucks are on a three-game winning streak, all with netminder Roberto Luongo in goal. However, Cory Schneider will return to the net in Saint Paul.