Minnesota at Florida

Minnesota needs this game. Florida, not so much. The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers realize that, realistically, they won't make the playoffs this season. So this is a huge step down in class for the Wild after they lost 6-3 at Tampa on Tuesday. Minnesota has the fifth-best defense in the NHL. The Panthers haven't been able to overcome multiple injuries this season. Their offensive numbers are down: 20th in goals per game, 19th in power-play percentage, and 26th in shooting percentage. They are also among the top three teams in penalty minutes. Brad Marchant remains out for Florida, and Sam Reinhart, the team's top scorer and points leader, is day-to-day with a foot injury. Not helping matters for the Panthers has been the inconsistent goaltending from the formerly reliable Sergei Bobrovsky. Discounting an impressive 4-0 victory against the Oilers, the Panthers are giving up an average of 4.7 goals a game in their last four games. Take the Wild.