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Some quick notes as the Ducks are in Minnesota tonight to play the third game of the season series with the Wild, which Justin Bourne has proclaimed the Game of the Night over on Backhand Shelf.
-The Ducks won the previous two meetings in Anaheim (3-1 on Feb. 1, and 3-2 on Mar. 2.).
-Minnesota has won their last two games, are 7-3-0 in their last ten games and as such, they have vaulted over Vancouver for the lead in the Northwest division.
-The Wild are 9-2-1 at Xcel Energy Center and the Ducks are 7-2-3 on the road.
-Based on Eric Stephens' expected line combinations, it looks like Bruce Boudreau is trying to get Teemu Selanne's offense kick started again as Bobby Ryan - currently on a seven game point streak - has been moved down, and Saku Koivu has been moved up to play with Teemu (although that Cogliano-Koivu-Winnik line can hardly be called a third line at this stage of the season).
-Viktor Fasth will get the start for the Ducks as the goalies continue to rotate. Yesterday on Anaheimducks.com Boudreau talked about the decision of which goalie to play tonight and seems to have landed on Viktor Fasth because he was in net for both wins against Minnesota this year.
-As expected the Wild will start Nicklas Backstrom (11-6-2, 2.30 GAA, .914 Sv%)
-For some odd reason, Harrison Mooney of Puck Daddy (who I love) thinks that "the Ducks have allowed 5 goals against in each of their last three contests" False - they've allowed two, zero and zero - but it is pretty fun to be the Rodney Dangerfield of the NHL.
UPDATES:
Viktor Fasth suffered an upper-body injury in the morning. Hiller will start. Deslauriers is en route.
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) March 12, 2013
Jonas Hiller now starting for #ducks. Fasth upper body injury, per @icemancometh. Deslauriers en route. Zach Sikich in case he doesn't show
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) March 12, 2013
Early word is Deslauriers is supposed to land just before or at game time. Not positive but think Sikich can dress and then JD subs in.
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) March 12, 2013