Ducks vs. Wild: Preview, Game Info & Playoff Implications | FYM News

The Minnesota Wild are set to face off against the Anaheim Ducks in a highly anticipated match at the Xcel Energy Center. This game marks the final regular-season contest for the Wild before their expected appearance in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. A victory tonight would secure a playoff berth for the Wild, intensifying the stakes for both teams.

As the Wild aim to clinch their playoff spot, the Ducks look to play spoiler and end their season on a high note. This preview will delve into the key matchups, team statistics, and what to expect from this pivotal game. From star players like Kirill Kaprizov to the latest team updates, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect in this article:

• Game details: Date, time, and location
• How to watch and listen
• Team records and season series recap
• Key players to watch
• Recent transactions and injury updates
• Historical context and fast facts

Game Details: Wild vs. Ducks

The Minnesota Wild will host the Anaheim Ducks at the Xcel Energy Center in their last regular season game. Here are the essential details:

• When: Tuesday, April 15th at 7:00 p.m. CT
• Where: Xcel Energy Center (Saint Paul, Minnesota)
• Tickets: Buy Now
• Additional Ticket Offers: Bottomless Yeti Ticket Pack, featuring a black 20oz Wild branded Yeti Tumbler AND unlimited fountain soda refills on game day
• Watch: Fan Duel Sports North
• Listen: KFAN 100.3 FM
• Gamecenter: Wild vs. Ducks

Team Records and Season Series

Here’s a look at the current records and how the Wild and Ducks have fared against each other this season:

• Wild Record: 44-30-7, 95 points, 4th in Central Division
• Ducks Record: 35-27-8, 78 points, 6th in Pacific Division
• 2024-25 Series Record: 2-0-0 in favor of the Wild
• All-Time Wild Record: 48-32-7 (23-13-6 at Xcel Energy Center)

The Wild have dominated the season series, winning both previous matchups. In their first encounter in Anaheim (11/8), Minnesota secured a 5-2 victory. The second game at Honda Center (12/6) saw the Wild triumph again with a 5-1 score.

Stats Comparison

Here’s a quick comparison of key stats between the two teams:

Key Players to Watch

Minnesota Wild:

• Kirill Kaprizov: Leads the Wild with six points (3 goals, 3 assists) in the series against the Ducks.
• Marco Rossi: Has five points (3 goals, 2 assists) in the two games against Anaheim.
• Brock Faber: A key defenseman with three assists in the series.
• Filip Gustavsson: The likely starting goalie, boasting a 2-0-0 record with a 1.50 GAA and a .952 SV% against the Ducks this season.

Anaheim Ducks:

• Robby Fabbri, Brock McGinn, and Mason McTavish: Each has scored a goal against the Wild this season.
• Lukas Dostal and John Gibson: Both goalies have seen action against the Wild, with Dostal saving 26-of-31 shots and Gibson saving 28-of-32.

Last Time Out

The Minnesota Wild are coming off an impressive overtime victory against the Vancouver Canucks. After trailing 2-0, the Wild mounted a comeback, with goals from Brock Faber and Marcus Foligno to tie the game. Mats Zuccarello sealed the win with an overtime goal, assisted by Kaprizov and Justin Brazeau.

Team Leaders Against Ducks/Wild

Wild Leaders Against Ducks:

• Mats Zuccarello: 28 points (8 goals, 20 assists) in 33 career games vs. Anaheim
• Kirill Kaprizov: 23 points (10 goals, 13 assists) in 19 games
• Jared Spurgeon: 18 points (7 goals, 11 assists) in 41 games
• Ryan Hartman: 17 points (9 goals, 8 assists) in 28 games

Ducks Leaders Against Wild:

• Ryan Strome and Jacob Trouba: 11 points each against Minnesota
• Frank Vatrano: 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists) in 15 games

Recent Transactions and Injuries

Recent Transactions:

To view recent transactions, visit wild.com/transactions.

On the Mend:

• Jake Middleton: upper-body injury (three games missed)
• Jared Spurgeon: upper-body injury (one game missed)

Connections

• Wild Assistant Coach Jason King skated in four games with Anaheim in 2007-08
• Ducks Assistant Coach Tim Army spent five seasons (2018-23) as the Iowa Wild (AHL) Head Coach, with a record of 157-115-45 in 317 games
• D Jackson LaCombe is from Eden Prairie and played four seasons (2019-23) at the University of Minnesota
• D Drew Helleson is from Farmington and played two seasons (2015-17) at Shattuck St. Mary’s
• C Nikita Nesterenko was drafted by the Wild in the sixth round (No. 172 overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft

Fast Facts

• Minnesota is 17-1-0 in its last 18 games against Anaheim, including a 13-game win streak, the longest winning streak against an opponent in team history, from 1/20/21 to 12/21/22
• Minnesota is 8-1-0 in its last nine games against Anaheim at Xcel Energy Center since 3/22/21, outscoring the Ducks 32-22

The Minnesota Wild’s upcoming game against the Anaheim Ducks is of utmost importance as they seek to secure a playoff spot. With a strong record against the Ducks and key players returning from injury, the Wild are in a favorable position to clinch their playoff berth. The game promises to be an exciting contest, and fans should tune in to see if the Wild can continue their dominance over Anaheim.

Key takeaways from this preview include the Wild’s strong season series lead, the importance of players like Kaprizov and Zuccarello, and the team’s recent transactions that could impact the game. As the Wild aim for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, this game against the Ducks is a critical step in their journey.

For more detailed information, fans can refer to the game notes available for download. Stay tuned to FYM News for post-game analysis and updates on the Wild’s playoff run.