The Wild are coming into this game with an 18-5-4 record this season and they have been playing very well in their recent games. They are coming off of a 4-1 loss on the road against the Kings in their last game, but prior to that they had won 5 straight games. Their defense has been great in those games as well, allowing 2 goals or less in all 5 of those wins. They have also won 2 of their last 3 games on the road, allowing 1 goal or less in 2 of those games. They are going up against a Utah team that is 12-11-4 this season and they have been playing well in their recent games. They have won their last 2 straight as well as 3 of their last 4 games, but all 3 of those wins came on the road. They beat up on weaker teams as well, beating the Sabres and the Flyers in their last 2 games, but now this is their 1st game back at home after that 2 game road trip out East. They actually lost their last game at home against the Stars 2-1, and they have not been good there recently as they have lost their last 4 straight games at home, struggling against better teams in those games as well. Their offense has not been good either, averaging 2 goals scored per game in their 4 home games, and their defense has not been great either as they have allowed 4+ goals in 3 of those 4 games. The Wild are near the top of the league right now as they have been playing very well and they have also been great on the road this season with a very good defense. Utah is not a strong team so the Wild will be able to shut them down defensively and bounce back in this game. The Wild will win this game.