COLUMBUS – A 7-1 thrashing of the Red Wings Thursday in Detroit didn't just help the Wild keep pace in the Western Conference playoff race.
It also was the best-case scenario for the first half of a back-to-back, since the team wasn't overly worked before moving on to Columbus to face the Blue Jackets on Friday.
"I haven't looked at all the numbers, but I'm pretty sure they're all probably pretty even," interim coach Dean Evason said after the win Thursday. "Nobody was really taxed, and we were able to roll six 'D' and all four lines. There's no question when you get a back-to-back it's nice to conserve some energy."
Whether this means Evason will stick with the same lineup is unclear.
Defenseman Matt Bartkowski (pictured) was called up on an emergency basis from AHL Iowa, where he has two goals and 16 assists, along with 55 penalty minutes, in 55 games. He's been called up three times this season without playing.
The Wild didn't skate Friday morning in Columbus, and Evason won't address the media until closer to game time.
Goalie Alex Stalock made 25 saves against the Red Wings. He's also 3-0 in his career against the Blue Jackets and was in net Tuesday when the Wild held on for a 5-4 win over Columbus at Xcel Energy Center.
Getting on the road didn't derail that momentum.
