The game on Friday marks the final opportunity for players like Matt Hendricks, JT Brown and Matt Read to make their final push for roster spots.
With the Wild's top nine virtually set, and Marcus Foligno and Eric Fehr secure on the fourth line, that leaves Hendricks, Brown and Read battling for one remaining position. Hendricks will make the opening night roster, but will it be as a skater or as a healthy scratch? Read is on a two-way contract but has been impressive during the preseason. Brown is on a multi-year one-way and has gotten better as the exhibition season has advanced.
With the top six staying behind in Minnesota, all three should have ample opportunity to show what it can do on Friday.
"I don't know how big a role [Friday] will be [in deciding who wins the job or not], but every game means something," Boudreau said. "If some guy is so bad, you just don't want to take another look at him, or so good that you have to take another look."