Here it is, the final meeting between these two clubs. Perhaps it is Todd Richards’ last chance for some payback against his former club.
More importantly, the Jackets are reshuffling things a bit with the losses of Marc Methot (jaw), Jared Boll (foot), and Curtis Sanford (back). In their places are the returning James Wisniewski, Ryan Johansen, and Steve Mason and Allen York.
The Wild have Mikko Koivu back, and are listlessly plodding along. They will, no doubt, be looking to avenge Tuesday’s 3-1 loss to the Blue Jackets in Columbus. This is another winnable game for the Jackets if they play the way they have been playing for the most part over the past four games. They have to alleviate the mistakes of the kind that led to the early 2-0 hole they fell into against Dallas on Thursday, and Steve Mason will have to step his game up.