Tuesday night brings a Western Conference battle between two clubs that have had pretty up and down starts to their 2019-20 campaigns. The surging Minnesota Wild (16-13-5) travel west, for a clash with the red-hot Vegas Golden Knights (18-13-5). Both teams struggled out of the gate, but have been playing some of their best hockey of late.
Somehow, the Minnesota Wild are undefeated in Vegas. They have yet to succumb to the vicious "Vegas Flu" which gives this tilt even more intrigue. In order to really understand Tuesday's opponent, I caught up with my man, Ryan Quigley, the site manager for SB Nation's Wild blog,
Hockey Wilderness. As many of you may remember, Quigs was previously the main driver of Knights On Ice, the Golden Knights blog for SB Nation. Luckily, I was able to wrangle in the busy man for a quick convo.
Jeff Paul: What's up Quigs! Since you're now covering the Wild, you must know a great deal about both teams. Are there any similarities between the two?
Ryan Quigley: I think both teams are really starting to gain a lot of confidence right now. Neither team had the best start to the season (especially not the Wild), but it seems both clubs are finally finding their mojo. The Wild are benefiting specifically from excellent play from Zach Parise, Eric Staal and Kevin Fiala, and those three have really been integral in turning the season around.
JP: Top line vs top line, who you taking?
Quigs: Vegas. Every time. I know Marchessault, Karlsson and Smith haven't set the world on fire like they did in 2017-18, but they're still so, so good. In all areas of the ice.
JP: I agree, they always have the potential to bust a game open at any time, even on the PK. Is there a more fun PK duo than Wild Bill and Smitty?
Quigs: Certainly not on the Wild. Minnesota has a grand total of two shorthanded goals this season. Vegas has six, and I'm pretty sure the duo of Karlsson and Smith has accounted for at least half of them. They're just fantastic on the PK.
JP: If Minnesota somehow wins this game, how does it go down? What do they need to do?
Quigs: I can honestly see Minnesota winning a high-scoring affair. They've been good offensively recently, so maybe they'll keep up the momentum Tuesday night.
JP: He's on pace for the busiest NHL season of his career, with Dubnyk being hurt. What's the story on the probable starter in net, Alex Stalock?
Quigs: He's been solid. He hasn't been putting up Vezina numbers or anything like that, but he's done enough to help the Wild win games. He's actually played a significant role in the Wild turning things around.
JP: THE NEXT JORDAN BINNINGTON?! THE WILD TAKING THE CUP?!?!?!?
Quigs: Lol not quite, but that would be fun.
JP: Who is the most important member of the Wild, if not Stalock? Whose game is most closely correlated to a Wild win?
Quigs: I would probably say Eric Staal. When he's on, the Wild typically tend to feed off of it and play solid hockey as a whole. He leads the team in points and just got his 1,000th point the other night, so he's had an eventful year. Definitely an important figure in that locker room.
JP: I used to love watching him in Carolina. Such a complete center and he still has that solid wrister. Do you expect the Wild to make their way into the playoff picture or are they a wrong side of the bubble team?
Quigs: That's the million dollar question Wild fans have been arguing all year. No one knows which Wild team will show up on a nightly basis. I could see them sneaking in as a wildcard team, but I could also see them crashing down to earth and getting a top 10 draft pick. They're so hard to predict this season.
JP: Well to wrap up, congrats on becoming the main man for Hockey Wilderness. Although you're now a "Wild Boy", you'll always be our #VegasBorn Quigs! Last question: Who are you most excited to watch on the VGK roster?
Quigs: Lol thanks brother, I appreciate it. I haven't watched Mark Stone in all of his greatness enough this season, so I'm real excited to see him again.
JP: He is a treat to watch. I can't believe how good he is at literally everything. Hopefully we get a good, entertaining contest tomorrow in the Fortress. It's fun to see how the VGK match up against the different styles across the Western Conference. A game with the Wild will be no different. Plus, we get to see our buddy Brad Hunt, a former Vegas Golden Knight!
Big thanks to Ryan Quigley for his time and infinite knowledge. Now that you have gotten the inside scoop on Tuesday's foe, be sure to check out Ryan and his Wild crew over at Hockey Wilderness. You can also find him GIF-ing away on the Twitter from the handle
@RP_Quigs!
Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm in the Fortress. Be there, be loud, be more....wild....than the visiting fans!
Remember you can catch me daily on the Twitter. Don't forget to look up "The Vegas Hockey Buzz" on your favorite podcast apps. Be sure to rate/review and SUBSCRIBE!
Vegas Golden Knights Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»