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Flames Vs. Wild: Minnesota Returns Home To Face Calgary

For more on the Minnesota Wild check out Hockey Wilderness.

By Tom Lewis
Mar 8, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Wild goalie Matt Hackett (31) makes a save during the second period against the Phoenix Coyotes at the Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE
Mar 8, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Wild goalie Matt Hackett (31) makes a save during the second period against the Phoenix Coyotes at the Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

The Minnesota Wild (29-29-10) host the Northwest Division rival Calgary Flames (31-25-12) at Xcel Energy Center on Sunday evening.

Both teams enter the game trying to finish the season strong despite shuffling through several injuries and altered lineups. The Wild return home after a two-game road trip that ended with a 3-2 win over the Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday night. The win snapped a five-game losing streak as the Wild continue to play without top goaltender Niklas Backstrom and captain Mikko Koivu.

Backstrom backup, Josh Harding had to be replaced in goal by Matt Hackett in Phoenix but Hackett came held strong through a shootout to earn the win for Minnesota. Hackett will likely start against Calgary with Harding's injury status expected to keep him as an emergency backup.

Calgary remains a notch ahead of Minnesota in the Northwest Division standings arriving in Minnesota having won their last two games including a 5-3 win over Winnepeg on Friday night.

For more on the Minnesota Wild, check out Hockey Wilderness. You can check out more hockey news from around the league at SB Nation's NHL page.

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Photographs by Micah Taylor, clairity, and Fibonacci Blue used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.