WINNIPEG – The Wild was a perfect 5-0 against the Jets last season, just the third time in franchise history the team's swept a season series of more than four games.
And the Wild will have a chance to resume that prowess Thursday when it visits the Jets at Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg.
"Hockey in the NHL is so tight that sometimes a team gets a little bit of confidence against another team and gets some success," coach Bruce Boudreau said. "It probably started out in the first game or the first two games with a little anger because they beat us in the playoffs, and then it just steamrolled a little bit."
Of those five wins, two came in Winnipeg, a 3-1 result Dec.29 and 3-2 victory Feb.26. Goalie Devan Dubnyk was in net for both of those games.
"We obviously have a lot of respect for them as a group and their ability to put pucks in the net," Dubnyk said. "So I think with the rivalry and understanding that, I think we're just really focused all the games against these guys. Last year, we were pretty solid right from start to finish just understanding that with that group it only takes one or two times and they can make you pay for it."
This is the Wild's first game since a 4-2 loss to the Avalanche Saturday in Colorado, which dropped the team to 0-2.
Center Eric Staal is expected to play after taking a maintenance day Monday.
Defenseman Carson Soucy will also remain in the lineup for his second straight game.
