The Wild Warmup is presented by Bryant Heating and Cooling
ST. PAUL -- After a four-game West Coast road trip, the Wild will be back on home ice for the first time in 12 days when it hosts the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday.
Minnesota finished the trip with four points, a number that could have been higher if not for early game troubles. The Wild trailed at least 2-0 in all four games, which proved too much overcome in a couple of those contests, but the team did have its moments of late game heroics.
The Wild outscored its opponents 7-1 in the third period during its road trip, including a three-goal outburst in San Jose before falling just short in their comeback, losing 6-5.
Its return to Xcel Energy Center is something that could incite a spark for the team. The Wild have not lost in regulation at home since its home opener. It is 3-0-1 since, outscoring its opponents 15-8 in that span.
These two teams will meet for the second time six days. When the teams met on Saturday in Arizona, the Wild defeated the Coyotes 4-3 after Ryan Hartman scored the game-winning goal 4:54 into the final period. It was the first time since Feb. 4, 2018 that Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper allowed four goals in a game.
Since the loss, Arizona has won two consecutive games in shootouts, defeating the Capitals and Blues on the road.
Arizona has been one of the best teams on the road this season. The Coyotes have recorded the second most points in the league away from home, with 16 points and a 7-2-2 record.
Nick Schmaltz leads the Coyotes with 15 points, with Conor Garland leading the team with eight goals. Clayton Keller, Alex Goligoski and Phil Kessel have also recorded double-digit points for the Coyotes this season.
Kuemper is 8-5-0 and is on pace to have the best season of his career. His 1.99 goals against average is ranked second in the league and his .931 save percentage is third.
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