CHICAGO — The Wild can't change its location in the standings, but a win on Wednesday against the Blackhawks at United Center would send the team into the All-Star Break on its most productive run of the season.
One game shy of the midway point, the Wild is on a five-game win streak and nine-game point streak. The team had one other nine-game point streak this season, from Nov.21 to Dec.9.
This is the first time in team history the Wild has had multiple point streaks of at least eight games in the same season. The Wild (27-10-3) is third in the Central Division with 57 points.
"This is a big game for us to kind of keep the train moving and keep going," rookie Matt Boldy said. "I think the approach that everyone's had hasn't changed too much, whether it's a game before break or a game in the middle of the season."
Cam Talbot will start in net for the Wild, and the team will get defenseman Jon Merrill and center Nico Sturm back from the COVID list. Winger Marcus Foligno and defenseman Matt Dumba won't play; both are day-to-day with upper-body injuries.
With Dumba out, Jordie Benn will join Jonas Brodin on the team's second pairing; Brodin will play on the right side. Merrill will be reunited with Dmitry Kulikov, and Sturm will center the fourth line between Victor Rask and Connor Dewar.
Brandon Duhaime will stay in Foligno's spot next to Jordan Greenway and Joel Eriksson Ek after the three played together Sunday in the 4-3 win vs. the New York Islanders.
"We really liked their line," coach Dean Evason said.
