Wild Warmup: Minnesota at Chicago

The essentials

The Wild Warmup is presented by Bryant Heating and Cooling
ST. PAUL -- The Wild concludes the exhibition campaign on Saturday night when it travels to the Windy City to face the Blackhawks at United Center.
Minnesota, which has won three-straight preseason games - all on home ice - defeated Chicago 3-2 in overtime on Thursday night in St. Paul, getting a goal from Matt Dumba midway though the extra session.
Joel Eriksson Ek and Alex Goligoski each scored their first goals of the preseason. Mats Zuccarello had two assists, and has more exhibition helpers (seven) than any other player in the NHL.
While the Wild dressed a bulk of its expected Opening Night lineup on Thursday - and will do so again in Chicago - the Blackhawks did not travel many regulars to St. Paul.
That's expected to change on Saturday in front of their home crowd.
In terms of overall lineups for both teams, expect Saturday night's contest to be the closest thing to resemble what each team will dress on Opening Night.
For the Wild, that includes goaltender Cam Talbot, who started and made 27 saves in 62 1/2 minutes of action in the victory at Xcel Energy Center.

"We want to see that last rehearsal as a positive one," Wild coach Dean Evason said on Friday. "That means our effort has to be the same that it's been throughout training camp and our preseason."
After the game, the Wild will return to the Twin Cities before embarking on a three-day team-bonding trip to Duluth, where it will practice at Amsoil Arena on Tuesday.
After a team day off Wednesday, Minnesota will board a plane for Southern California on Thursday and play back-to-back games in Anaheim and Los Angeles on Friday and Saturday to begin the regular season schedule.
The Wild will open the home portion of the regular campaign against Winnipeg on Oct. 19.
Chicago opens the regular season on Wednesday night at Ball Arena in Denver against the Colorado Avalanche, before heading east for back-to-back games against New Jersey and Pittsburgh on Friday and Saturday. Like the Wild, the Blackhawks will celebrate their home opener on Oct. 19 when they play the New York Islanders.