Where Brian Rolston goes, the Wild goes.
The statistics prove it. When he scores, the Wild usually wins. So when Rolston switches from left wing to center to begin tonight's game against the San Jose Sharks, the slumping captain might find himself in better shooting situations.
There's no question in the Wild's system, Rolston will have more defensive responsibilities as the third man high in the offensive zone. But nobody on the Wild is more threatening from the top of the circles than Rolston with his monster shot.
"As long as Butch gets me the puck," Rolston jokingly hinted by raising his voice when playmaker Pierre-Marc Bouchard tiptoed into the dressing room after Tuesday's practice.
Rolston, who played center for five seasons with Boston, will make the position change tonight because coach Jacques Lemaire feels it's necessary to have a multitude of quality centers to match up with San Jose's top two lines -- one that features 2005-06 MVP Joe Thornton, the other captain Patrick Marleau (who has been playing left wing lately).
Because of injuries, Pascal Dupuis has switched between wing and center virtually every other shift recently. Lemaire recalls Dupuis struggling mightily at center when the Wild visited the Sharks three weeks ago. And after Saturday's loss to Columbus, even Dupuis admitted: "Obviously, I'm not a centerman. I think you can see that."
Dupuis has been terrific lately, scoring five goals in his past six games, but Lemaire said, "I'm trying to settle a problem so we don't talk about Dupuis anymore at center."
Rolston leads the Wild with 12 goals and 21 points, but he has just three goals in the past 13 games. Two of those came on penalty shots.
The Wild is 9-1 when he scores a goal and 4-8-1 when he doesn't (although one of those four victories came when he scored the shootout deciding goal).
"This month has been a grind -- nine games in [15] nights," Rolston said. "You don't have [Marian Gaborik]. You don't have [Pavol Demitra]. So every night you're playing against a No. 1 pair of D and a checking line.
"Obviously I still have to produce. But I still feel confident about the way I'm playing. I'm working hard, getting chances. Maybe I'm not scoring as much as I was the first 10 games. Obviously I got real hot there, but I'm sure I'll be back there soon."
Gaborik return close?
Gaborik's much anticipated return appears to be getting closer. Gaborik, out since straining his groin Oct. 20, took part in his first full practice Tuesday and even took some contact in 3-on-3 drills.
"I'm glad to go through the whole thing," he said. "Contact feels nice. You feel like you're in the action. I changed directions and it feels good. As long as I keep doing good and it's pain-free, I can get in game shape."
Lemaire said Gaborik is scheduled to return "next month."
Of course, "next month" begins Friday. The Wild just so happens to have a game against Detroit that night, and plays in Dallas on Saturday.
Big night on TV
Tonight's game will be televised nationally in the United States and Canada. In the U.S., the Wild will make its Versus debut (found in the Twin Cities on Comcast Ch. 68, DirecTV Ch. 608 and Dish Network Ch. 151).
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