The Minnesota Wild will host the Chicago Blackhawks at Grand Casino Arena for a Central Division matchup. The Wild, currently sitting fifth in the league with 68 points in 53 games, have been one of the season's surprises, with recent winning streaks and notable off-ice acquisitions like Quinn Hughes, who has contributed 25 points in 21 games. The Wild's lineup features Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, and Marcus Johansson as offensive leaders, with key defenseman Brock Faber and goaltenders Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt. Wallstedt, 23, will start in net, returning after a rare start in recent games, while Gustavsson recently secured a win against the Blackhawks. The Blackhawks, with a record of 21-23-8, are expected to have Spencer Knight in goal. The team’s lineup includes Teuvo Teravainen returning from injury, and they will focus on maximizing offensive potential from their top line of Nazar, Bedard, and Teravainen. Chicago’s recent practice lineup features several veteran players and prospects, aiming to improve their season performance. Statistically, the Wild hold slight disadvantages in 5-on-5 Corsi and expected goals but edge out in goals per game and penalty kill percentage. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT, broadcast on CHSN and ESPN+, with radio coverage on WGN 720. Overall, the Wild's recent form and home advantage, combined with their strong lineup and goaltending, make them slight favorites against the Blackhawks, who are looking to improve their standings and capitalize on offensive opportunities.