1* free play on the Minnesota Wild...

The Anaheim Ducks needed a shootout to overcome the Philadelphia Flyers 5-4 on Wednesday, and a similar performance tonight won't like be enought to earn a "W". The Wild on the other hand outshot the Canadiens 35-19 in a 2-1 win the same day, and I like their chances of upsetting the Ducks tonight.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Goaltending - Darcy Kuemper started the season with two consecutive shutouts and has not looked back since. He's allowed five goals over his last three appearances at home showing a 2.29 GAA overall for the season. Fredrik Andersen started the season strong as well but has gradually lost form. He's allowed 11 goals over his last three games, and was pulled after only 26 minutes in his last start on the road, a 6-4 loss at San Jose, after conceding five goals on 19 shots.

2. Home Cookin' - The Wild won 26 of their 41 home games last season and have been terrific at Xcel Energy Center this season as well winning eight of 11. The Ducks have won four straight meetings in Minnesota, but the Wild might be catching them at a good time here with the visitors losing three of their last four on the road.

3. X-Factor - The Wild are one of the better teams in the NHL in shorthanded situations and have gone a perfect 11-for-11 on the penalty kill over their last five games. The Ducks power play goal against the Flyers Wednesday is their only over the last 20 opportunities on the man advantage.

Selection: This is a play on the Minnesota Wild (Free)