There will be no Minnesota homecoming for Todd Richards on Thursday. The Crystal native, former Gophers defenseman and former Wild coach was fired Wednesday by Columbus after a horrific 0-7 start, and new coach John Tortorella will be behind the bench for Thursday's game against the Wild at Xcel Energy Center.

Predictably, several Wild players said they were focused on their own game and had little to say about the switch. But Zach Parise and Mikko Koivu noted that teams usually play "with lots of jump" in the first games after a coaching change as players try to make an impression. They also noted that Tortorella's teams always play hard, meaning the Wild will need to be on its toes Thursday.

Coach Mike Yeo confirmed that Devan Dubnyk will start in goal as the Wild plays its second home game of the season. Nino Niederreiter, who left Tuesday's practice with "tightness," skated at full speed during Wednesday's fast-paced workout. Tyler Graovac (lower body injury) is skating on his own; Yeo said he needs to get in a few full practices before he returns to the lineup, and he doesn't expect Graovac to play in the three games remaining this week.

Yeo is expecting a high-energy game from the Blue Jackets, who have been outscored 34-13 in their seven regulation losses."It's a pretty quick turnaround, so I don't expect (Columbus) to go out there and try to change everything in a day," Yeo said. "What I would say is it's quite obvious what their motivation level will be and what we can expect from them as far as going out there and laying it on the line. We know we're in for a good challenge. But the focus is the same for us. It's on ourselves."

Parise has played a few brief stints under Tortorella as a member of the U.S. national team. Tortorella was the head coach for the American men at the 2008 world championships; an assistant for the 2010 Olympic team that won a silver medal; and an associate coach at the 2005 world championships. Tortorella also has been named head coach for the U.S. team that will play in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

"He's got that ability to make all his players play hard and compete," Parise said. "I think that's what's going to happen with (the Blue Jackets)."

RACHEL BLOUNT