After a breakdown to the Kings on Tuesday, its second straight loss, the Wild is hoping a breakup will help the team recover in the rematch Thursday at Xcel Energy Center.
Coach Dean Evason has split up the Wild's best line of wingers Jordan Greenway and Marcus Foligno and center Joel Eriksson Ek – promoting Eriksson Ek up the lineup to work with veteran Marcus Johansson and rookie Kirill Kaprizov. Foligno and Greenway remain united and will be centered by Nico Sturm.
As for the other units, wingers Zach Parise and Kevin Fiala are still with center Nick Bjugstad. And Victor Rask has moved to left wing on a line with center Nico Bonino and winger Ryan Hartman.
"We had tons of opportunities to score last game but only scored one goal," Evason said, referring to the 2-1 setback. "It's an opportunity for us to get a look at some different combinations, not just that one [but] some other combinations, as well. So, we're hoping that the decision that we made will allow us to continue to have those chances to score and bury a few in the net."
Together for the first two weeks of the season, Greenway, Eriksson Ek and Foligno combined for 15 points in seven games – while everyone else on the team has accounted for 32 points. Eriksson Ek has been particularly effective offensively, getting off to the best start of his career with four goals and two assists.
"Lines are going to change," Evason said. "Lines are changing a little bit here tonight, but clearly Ek's playing extremely well and we just thought it was an opportunity. It is an opportunity now to move him, so we'll see how he looks here this evening."
Although No.1 goalie Cam Talbot skated Thursday morning, he won't dress against the Kings – missing a third straight game with a lower-body injury. Andrew Hammond will back up Kaapo Kahkonen.
"Just getting a light little workout," Evason said of Talbot. "We're hoping that he'll be available to us going forward here."
