Preview: The Wild is 9-4-2 in season openers (includes a tie in 2001-02), the highest points percentage (.667) of any team in NHL history. None was more exciting than last year when the Wild scored the four fastest goals in team history (5:07 apart) in Denver to stun the Avalanche. The Wild is 4-0-1 in its past five season openers, but 1-3-1 when it opens on the road. Former Wild coach Mike Yeo is now St. Louis' associate coach. He's slated to take over head coach in 2017-18. The Blues opened Wednesday night in Chicago.
Players to watch: C Eric Staal will make his Wild debut, as will RW Teemu Pulkkinen, plucked off waivers from Detroit on Tuesday. LW Zach Parise, who had a hat trick in last year's opener, is one goal shy of 300. G Devan Dubnyk will play his 299th game. Former Blue Chris Stewart has 16 points in 16 games vs. his old team. … Former Blues captain David Backes signed in Boston. D Alex Pietrangelo will wear the 'C.' Vladimir Tarasenko, who scored six goals in six playoff games against the Wild in 2015, hit the 40-goal mark last season. C Paul Stastny leads the Blues with 35 points in 54 games against the Wild.
Numbers: New Wild coach Bruce Boudreau is 4-5 in season openers. … The Wild has outscored opponents 44-29 in season openers. … The Wild is 27-21-13 all-time vs. St. Louis.
Injuries: Blues LW Jaden Schwartz (elbow) is out.
Michael Russo
