After picking up a big 3-0 shutout win over the Calgary Flames, the Minnesota Wild will continue their road trip by heading to the HP Pavilion to take on the San Jose Sharks. Minnesota, as noted, is coming off a win over Calgary that may lend itself to helping figure out how the Sharks game may go ... Niklas Backstrom was in net for Minnesota, and was swarmed by the Flames for a majority of the game, having to make several diving saves to keep the team in the game.
That's likely what they'll be seeing from San Jose, a high-powered offensive team. The Sharks will try and swarm and control the play early, but their goalie play from Antti Niemi and Thomas Greiss have proven to be something that teams can deal with on limited opportunities. If Minnesota can keep themselves in the game with goalie play, then they'll have a good chance to beat the Sharks.
On top of that, this will be the first time these two teams meet since swapping multiple players before the start of the season. Former Wild defenseman Brent Burns was sent to the Sharks for Devin Setoguchi, a first-round pick, and Charlie Coyle, the Sharks' 2010 NHL draft first-round pick. The team's also dealt when San Jose sent Dany Heatley in exchange for Martin Havlat.
It will be the first time these players face their old teams. The game is set for Thursday at 7:30 p.m..