Wild vs Hurricanes: Game Preview and Line Combinations
The Minnesota Wild (5-6-3) visit the Carolina Hurricanes (8-4-0) tonight for the first game of a back-to-back series. This matchup will feature one notable lineup change for the Wild.
Daemon Hunt Makes His Season Debut
Defenseman Daemon Hunt will appear for the first time this season, joining Zeev Buium on the third defensive pair. The challenge will be managing that pairing on the road, where the Wild lack the last line change advantage, especially with Hunt playing on his offside.
David Jiricek will come out of the lineup. He has no points in ten games and a minus-three rating. Hunt, 23, has not played in an NHL game since October.
Yurov’s Future Raises Questions
Danila Yurov will be a healthy scratch for the third straight game. The Wild’s fourth line of Ben Jones, Yakov Trenin, and Tyler Pitlick remains unchanged and has been successful, going 3-0-0 when used together.
Interestingly, Yurov played in one of the previous two games and scored his first NHL goal while centering the third line in New York. Despite that milestone, he has been scratched in the past two contests—both of which the Wild won.
“Yurov being scratched for three consecutive games will be something to keep an eye on.”
Lineup Outlook
Mats Zuccarello is expected to return for Saturday's game. The projected lines for tonight include:
- Kirill Kaprizov – Marco Rossi – Marcus Johansson
- Vladimir Tarasenko – Joel Eriksson Ek – Matt Boldy
- Marcus Foligno – Ryan Hartman – Vinnie Hinostroza
Author’s Summary
The Wild test lineup depth as Daemon Hunt returns and Danila Yurov sits again amid a strong stretch from the fourth line against the Hurricanes.