Game Thread: Rangers vs Wild

Tonight, as the trade deadline rapidly approaches, the New York Rangers will cross sticks with the visiting Minnesota Wild. The Rangers are coming off of a 2-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday in which we saw Connor Brickley score his first goal with the team and Vladislav Namestnikov pot the game winner. The Wild, on the other hand, are currently stuck in a costly downward spiral.

Minnesota has just one win in their last 10 games and they’re coming off of a 4-0 shutout loss at the hands of the lowly Anaheim Ducks. Right now, they’re on the outside looking in at the playoff picture in the Western Conference. They are running out of time to get back in the hunt.

The Wild’s most dangerous forward this season has been veteran winger Zach Parise. Parise leads the team with 49 points in 59 games. Mikael Granlund is right behind him with 58 points in 60 games and veteran blueliner Ryan Suter leads the Wild’s defense with 40 points this season.

After tonight’s game, the Rangers will play two games in a row on Feb. 23 and Feb. 24 before Monday’s 3:00 p.m. ET trade deadline. The clock is ticking.

Please use this as your open thread for tonight’s game.