The first of what two brothers hope are many Granlund vs. Granlund NHL contests occurs Monday night at Xcel Energy Center.
Mikael Granlund, in the midst of a breakout second season with the Wild, will go head-to-head against Markus Granlund, who is expected to play his third game with the Calgary Flames.
Mikael is 22, about 14 months older than Markus.
"For sure, it's going to be a little special moment," Mikael Granlund said Saturday. "It's just going to be a normal game, but it's going to be cool playing against him."
Granlund said that before Markus' NHL debut Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings, he called and told him, "Enjoy the moment."
"I feel pride," said Granlund, who traveled to St. Paul when the Wild hosted the 2011 draft and watched Markus get chosen 45th overall by Calgary. " I feel really proud for my parents. It's very special [having two sons in the NHL]."
Through 50 games with American Hockey League Abbotsford, Markus Granlund had 23 goals (first among AHL rookies) and 44 points. Mikael Granlund, who has 18 points in the past 24 games, is tied for fifth on the Wild with 30 points in 48 games and third with 24 assists.
"They play kind of a similar game," Flames coach Bob Hartley said. "But, obviously, to compare Markus to Mikael right now is maybe a little premature."
