"That's a team that gets up for every important game, and I think they'll think this is an important game."
While the Central Division certainly won't be won or lost based on what happens Tuesday night, a victory over the Blackhawks would, at minimum, a big mental boost as the Wild goes quiet for the next four-plus days.
Minnesota doesn't play again until it hosts Los Angeles in the final game of an eight-game homestand on Monday, but the Blackhawks will be in action twice before then, offering Chicago an opportunity to gain further ground in the divisional race.
"We certainly would like to keep the separation, there's no doubt," Boudreau said. "We watch the standings like everybody else, so we think it's an important game."
The Wild may be getting a big part of its blue line back on Tuesday, as Matt Dumba could re-join the lineup after missing the past four games with a lower-body injury.
Dumba was hurt toward the end of the first period of a 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Feb. 10. He finished the remainder of the game, but has not played since. After two full practices and morning skate on Tuesday, Dumba said he feels ready to go.
"I'm feeling pretty confident in returning tonight and being a part of things again," Dumba said. "I think [the decision to play] still has to go through some more people. I know we have to talk to trainers in the back, and (general manager) Chuck (Fletcher) and Bruce, but I'm confident I could. I guess that's up to them though."
The four games missed by Dumba may have been a blessing. Replays of when the injury occurred revealed something that looked like it could have been a lot more serious.
"A credit to my flexibility," Dumba said. "Looking back at it, it was just a little hiccup and we were trying to be safe about it."
If Dumba plays, the Wild will have a full compliment of defensemen for the first time in more than a month; Jonas Brodin, who was hurt Jan. 17 and missed the next 14 games, returned on Saturday against Nashville.
Brodin played that game on the right side of Gustav Olofsson and will be there again Tuesday. Dumba would play to the right of familiar face Marco Scandella.
