Much has changed since that contest, however.
The Wild was playing the second half of back-to-back games that night, its first set of consecutive games this season. The loss kept Minnesota winless through its first three road games and dropped the Wild to 3-2-1 on the season.
But Minnesota has picked up its play significantly since the early weeks of the season and enters Thursday on an 11-game winning streak, the longest in team history. It's gained a point in 12 straight games, also its longest such streak.
Minnesota hasn't played on home ice in nine days; it shut out the Colorado Avalanche 2-0 on Dec. 20. The Wild has won its past seven games at Xcel Energy Center and hasn't lost in downtown St. Paul since a 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche on Nov. 19.
The Islanders have been inconsistent this season and are currently hovering at .500 with a record of 14-14-6. But their game has been on the upswing of late, having won each of their past three games. Included in that stretch is a 4-3 victory over the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night.
"They're playing good now," said Wild coach Bruce Boudreau. "They're feeling it and they'll probably continue to get better. But we have to play the way we're capable of playing. If we do that, and play with structure, and get our skating legs, we're usually a hard team to beat."
If history is any indication, expect a close game on Thursday: Seven of the 10 meetings between the teams in St. Paul have been decided by one goal. Minnesota is 5-1-1 in those games, however.
New York is led offensively by John Tavares, who has 24 points in 34 games this season. His 10 goals are second most after Edina native Anders Lee, who has a team-leading 13 goals.
Both Jaroslav Halak and Thomas Greiss have started at least 13 games between the pipes for the Islanders so far this season. Halak has six more starts (19) but has a goals-against average that is higher and a save percentage that is lower than Greiss.
