It’s a marquee matchup north of the border tonight as the Minnesota Wild roll into Toronto to face the Maple Leafs in the first leg of a back-to-back. Both teams are navigating through injury-riddled lineups, but the stars are still shining - and that includes a heavyweight winger showdown between Kirill Kaprizov and Auston Matthews.
Let’s break it down.
Recent Form
Minnesota enters the night 27-13-9, but their recent stretch has been a bit uneven - 4-3-3 in their last 10. The Wild are still stacking points, but they’ve been grinding through games without some key pieces.
Toronto, on the other hand, has found its groove. The Leafs are 7-1-2 in their last 10, and while they’re also dealing with a long injury list, they’ve been finding ways to win - a testament to their depth and star power.
This is the first of two meetings between the teams this season, and both squads have something to prove.
Minnesota’s Projected Lines
Top Line: Kirill Kaprizov - Ryan Hartman - Mats Zuccarello
This trio continues to be the engine of Minnesota’s offense.
Kaprizov’s dynamic playmaking and Hartman’s gritty, two-way game complement Zuccarello’s veteran presence. With Matt Boldy out, Kaprizov’s role becomes even more critical - expect him to log heavy minutes and be leaned on to carry the offensive load.
Second Line: Ben Jones - Nico Sturm - Tyler Pitlick
This is a line built for energy and responsible play.
Sturm is a solid two-way center, and Pitlick brings speed and forechecking. Jones adds a bit of grit.
They’ll likely draw tough defensive assignments, especially with Toronto’s depth down the middle.
Defense Pairings:
- Quinn Hughes - Brock Faber
- Jake Middleton - Jared Spurgeon
- Daemon Hunt - David Jiricek
Quinn Hughes has been electric since joining the Wild. His ability to transition the puck and create offense from the blue line is changing the way Minnesota plays. Paired with Faber, who’s quietly becoming one of the steadiest young defensemen in the league, this top pairing is as mobile and skilled as they come.
Middleton and Spurgeon give the Wild a shutdown look, while Hunt and Jiricek round out the back end with youth and upside.
In Net: Filip Gustavsson
Gustavsson gets the nod, and he’ll have his hands full against a Maple Leafs squad that can score in bunches. He’s been solid this season, but with several key defenders out, he’ll need to be sharp early and often.
Injuries:
The Wild are without several regulars, including Matt Boldy, Marcus Johansson, Joel Eriksson Ek, Jonas Brodin, and Zach Bogosian - all out with lower-body injuries. That’s a big chunk of their core, especially down the middle and on the blue line.
Toronto’s Projected Lines
Top Line: Bobby McMann - Auston Matthews - Max Domi
Matthews continues to be the focal point of the Leafs’ offense, and he’s got some new faces riding shotgun.
Domi brings edge and playmaking, while McMann is earning more trust with his north-south game. Matthews will look to exploit a weakened Wild defense, and with his shot, he doesn’t need much space to do damage.
Second Line: Matias Maccelli - John Tavares - Matthew Knies
This line blends experience and youth.
Tavares still has one of the best sticks in tight, and Knies brings size and skill. Maccelli adds some finesse and vision.
They’ll be a handful for Minnesota’s middle-six defenders.
Bottom Six:
- Easton Cowan - Nicolas Roy - Nicholas Robertson
- Steven Lorentz - Scott Laughton - Calle Järnkrok
Toronto’s depth has been tested, but they’ve responded well. Roy and Laughton are reliable defensive centers, and Robertson’s offensive instincts continue to develop. Cowan is a young player to watch - he’s got speed and isn’t afraid of the moment.
Defense Pairings:
- Morgan Rielly - Brandon Carlo
- Oliver Ekman-Larsson - Jake McCabe
- Simon Benoit - Troy Stecher
Rielly remains the anchor on the back end, and Carlo gives him a steady partner with size and reach. Ekman-Larsson’s resurgence has been a quiet storyline this season, and McCabe brings bite. The third pair is serviceable, and Stecher’s puck-moving ability could be an X-factor.
In Net: Connor Hellebuyck
Hellebuyck has been a rock for Toronto this season.
With William Nylander and Chris Tanev out, the Leafs are leaning even more on their goaltending, and Hellebuyck has delivered. He’ll be looking to outduel Gustavsson in what could be a tightly contested game.
Injuries:
The Leafs are missing key names as well: Anthony Stolarz, Chris Tanev, Dakota Mermis, Dakota Joshua, and William Nylander are all sidelined. Nylander’s absence is especially tough - he’s been one of their most consistent offensive threats all year.
What to Watch For
- Kaprizov vs. Matthews: Two of the league’s premier forwards go head-to-head.
Kaprizov will be asked to carry the Wild’s offense, while Matthews looks to continue his scoring tear.
- Battle of the Blue Lines: With Brodin and Tanev out, both teams are missing top-tier defenders.
Can Hughes and Rielly step up and control the game from the back end?
- Goaltending Duel: Gustavsson vs.
Hellebuyck could be the story of the night. Both netminders are capable of stealing games, and with injuries thinning out the rosters, a hot goalie could be the difference.
This one has all the makings of a gritty, high-stakes midseason clash. Both teams are playoff contenders, both are banged up, and both have stars capable of tilting the ice. Buckle up.