It's just preseason game No. 1 for the Wild, but it also marks the first time newcomers like forwards Marcus Foligno and Tyler Ennis will put their new sweaters on in a game-type situation.
For both players, acquired in a trade from the Buffalo Sabres in late June, the excitement of getting acclimated to a new team with new teammates in a new place is starting to taper down. Now, they're anxious to get in the lineup and get back to work.
"It's exciting," Ennis said. "It's been a long summer. I'm ready to go and it should be fun."
The test Minnesota will face on Monday at Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg is a stiff one. The Jets are expected to dress a lineup that looks very similar to the one that will be present when Winnipeg opens the regular season two weeks from Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Wild will have a few regulars sprinkled in, Ennis and Foligno among them, but will also have several players expected to start the season in Iowa in its lineup.
And while coach Bruce Boudreau said he expects to win every time his team laces up the skates against an opponent, there are things he's looking for beyond just the final result.
"We're looking for, I think, individuals to stand out," Boudreau said. "Guys will show their character and their heart and that's what you're looking for. Obviously, you want to win ... but you want to play the right way. If we play the right way, then I'll be happy."
The game also offers Foligno a chance to jump right into the type of game he wants to play. One of the most physical teams on the Wild's schedule every season, Foligno knows the challenge that lies ahead on Monday, even if it's just a preseason contest.
"Especially in their own arena, they feed off the energy of their fans," Foligno said. "It's gonna be fun tonight. You gotta show up and bring your game. Physical play is definitely going to be involved tonight."
Here are the projected lineups:
WILD
Marcus Foligno - Charlie Coyle - Tyler Ennis
Daniel Winnik - Luke Kunin - Chris Stewart
Ryan Malone - Cal O'Reilly - Landon Ferraro
Kyle Rau - Justin Kloos - Zack Mitchell
Mike Reilly - Kyle Quincey
Gustav Olofsson - Alex Grant
Carson Soucy - Ryan Murphy
Niklas Svedberg
Steve Michalek
JETS
Patrik Laine - Mark Scheifele - Blake Wheeler
Mathieu Perreault - Bryan Little - Nikolaj Ehlers
Kyle Connor - Adam Lowry - Joel Armia
Brendan Lemieux - Michael Sgarbossa - Marko Dano
Logan Stanley - Dustin Byfuglien
Toby Enstrom - Tucker Poolman
Ben Chiarot - Nelson Nogier
Connor Hellebuyck
Eric Comrie
