Mike Yeo on Wild's schedule: "We're our own biggest rivalry now"

After four games in the NHL season's first 15 days, the Wild plays six in the next nine. Five are against playoff teams from a year ago except Thursday's against Arizona.

"Too much time off," coach Mike Yeo said. "We're all sick of practicing right now. We're our own biggest rivalry now. We just have to start playing some games."

Good afternoon from Xcel Energy Center's press room. Wild opens a two-game homestand Thursday against the Coyotes and Lightning before hitting the road for New York and Boston.

In Thursday's Star Tribune, I wrote a very big profile on Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon. Some fun stuff in there, so please give that a read. Spurgeon has played more games in a Wild sweater than any current Wild defenseman.

I'll also be on KFAN live at 9 a.m. from the studio.

In Thursday's game, Keith Ballard and Christian Folin will be the third pair. Matt Dumba and Nate Prosser aren't expected to play. Darcy Kuemper will make his fourth start of the season. He allowed two goals in his previous three starts.

Kyle Brodziak is expected to be scratched for a third consecutive game. Remember, his scratch in Game 3 of last year's playoffs was his only scratch of his Wild career prior to this string. In fact, prior to this, he only missed three regular-season games in his Wild career due to injury or illness.

First of all, Yeo noted that the Wild has scored two goals in its past two games and Carter assisted on both.

"He has a good idea what he needs to bring every night. Be a defensive physical presence," Yeo said.

As for playing Ballard over Dumba, Yeo said he wants the left-shot in Thursday's lineup, saying it helps the transition game, especially in the neutral zone, having a left-right ratio.

"We're a speed team, and if we're going to play fast, then you have to move the puck effectively," Yeo said, "so we'll see if that helps our transition game."
As you know, the Wild's power play is 0 for 16, yet it has generated the second-most shots on the power play in the NHL. It includes an eight-shot and seven-shot power play in Denver and L.A., respectively.

Teams often go through three- or four-game droughts during a season, but when it's at the start of the season, it's a lot bigger deal and there's more conversation about it.

He said the Wild has generated 27 power-play scoring chances in four games, so you score on one or two of these, you'd easily have one or two wins. Heck, in L.A., the Wild went 0 for 5 on power plays that could have tied the game at 1-1 or 2-2.

So Yeo said the Wild much focus on what it has to do on the power play and not the end result. But no doubt, there will be a big breath of fresh air once the Wild finally scores one.

The Coyotes have the fifth-worst penalty kill in the West at this very early juncture in the season (4 goals allowed on 19 chances).

For Arizona, looks like Martin Hanzal is out. Sam Gagner, its biggest offseason pickup, has no points. Mikkel Boedker is off to a torrid start with five goals in five games.

We'll see who starts in goal. Mike Smith has allowed 16 goals in three games. Devyn Dubnyk has given up five goals in two games and helped earn them three of their five points.