Wild Look to Sweep Sabres in Key Matchup at Xcel Energy Center
Alright, hockey fans, buckle up because we’ve got an exciting one today! The Minnesota Wild are set to take on the Buffalo Sabres at the Xcel Energy Center, and this isn't just any game—it’s a chance for the Wild to complete the season sweep against Buffalo. Coming off a dominant 4-0 win over the Seattle Kraken, Minnesota is riding a wave of momentum, and they’re looking to keep the good times rolling.
Let’s talk about goaltending because Filip Gustavsson has been absolutely locked in between the pipes. The guy has been a brick wall in his last two games, stopping 34 shots in a shutout victory against the Kraken and 28 of 29 against the Kings before that. That shutout marked his 11th career clean sheet, and he now ranks fifth in Wild history for all-time shutouts. If he keeps this up, Buffalo might have a tough time finding the back of the net.
But don’t sleep on the Sabres just yet. While their record sits at 27-34-6, they’ve got some weapons that could cause trouble for Minnesota’s defense. Rasmus Dahlin leads Buffalo with 10 points in 10 career games against the Wild, and Alex Tuch—who was originally drafted by Minnesota—will surely want to make his mark against his former team. Plus, Tage Thompson has been heating up lately with six points in his last five games, and without Joel Eriksson Ek in the lineup for Minnesota, he could have more room to work offensively.
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Speaking of absences, the Wild are dealing with some serious injury setbacks. Kirill Kaprizov, Eriksson Ek, Jonas Brodin, and Marcus Foligno are all out, leaving Minnesota without some of their biggest contributors. However, this team has shown resilience, and guys like Matt Boldy and Marcus Johansson have stepped up in a big way. Boldy, in particular, had a stellar performance against Seattle, scoring twice, including an empty-netter to seal the win.
Now, if there’s one area where the Wild need to be cautious, it’s their penalty kill. They currently rank second-to-last in the NHL with a 71.4% success rate, and Buffalo has been clicking on the power play lately, scoring with the extra man in four straight games. The Sabres’ power play has converted at a 35.7% rate in that span, so staying out of the box will be crucial for Minnesota.
When these two teams met earlier this season, it was a goaltending battle, with Gustavsson shutting out Buffalo in a 1-0 win. Kirill Kaprizov scored the lone goal in that contest, but with him out of the lineup today, someone else will have to step up and deliver.
As the Wild hit the ice, they’re sitting at 39-25-5, holding the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Every point matters down the stretch, and taking care of business against a struggling Sabres squad could help solidify their playoff position. Buffalo, on the other hand, is playing more for pride at this point, but that doesn’t mean they won’t put up a fight.
Puck drop is set for 1:00 PM CT at the Xcel Energy Center, and whether you’re watching on FanDuel Sports North or tuning in on KFAN 100.3 FM, expect a fast-paced, hard-hitting matchup. Will the Wild sweep the season series, or will the Sabres spoil the party in Saint Paul? We’re about to find out!
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