Devils 2010-2011 Schedule Preview – Minnesota Wild

Throughout the offseason, The Devils’ Den will preview the Devils 2010-2011 schedule, giving you an in-depth preview of the 29 other teams the Devils will face next season. We’ve already completed several previews, all of which can be found under the “Season Preview” tab. In today’s second preview, we go to the Western Conference, taking a look at this season’s matchup with the Minnesota Wild.

Jamie Langenbrunner recorded his first career hat trick against the Wild last season. Photo Credit: Tom Olmscheid/Associated Press

Devils vs. Wild – Historical Data

In 10 all-time regular season meetings against the Wild, the Devils are 7-1-2. New Jersey averages 3.70 goals per meeting and allows Minnesota to average 2.30 goals per meeting. The two teams squared off once last season in Minnesota, with the Devils winning, 5-3.

Dean McAmmond opened the scoring, giving the Devils a lead, 1-0, at 5:13 of the second period. Jamie Langenbrunner extended the lead, scoring a powerplay goal at 6:57 of the period. Eric Belanger put the Wild on the board, scoring at 9:08 of the second to cut the Devils lead to 2-1. Mikko Koivu tied the game, 2-2, with a shorthanded tally at 19:22 of the period. The Devils would jump ahead again, with Langenbrunner scoring his second powerplay goal of the period at 19:56 to put the Devils ahead, 3-2.

Jay Pandolfo extended the Devils lead, putting New Jersey ahead, 4-2, at 11:35 of the third period. Andrew Brunette brought Minnesota within one, scoring at 16:09 to shrink the Devils lead to 4-3. Langenbrunner completed the hat trick, scoring an empty-netter at 19:43 to put the Devils ahead, 5-3.

Martin Brodeur made 29 saves in the win. Niklas Backstrom stopped 21 shots for the loss.

Devils vs. Wild – This Season’s Matchup

The Devils and Wild will face off once this season, on January 4 at the Prudential Center. During the offseason, the Wild signed several key free agents to help bolster a squad that missed the playoffs last season. The team re-signed Guillaume Latendresse and Koivu, two important offensive players, locking them up for a combined nine years. The team also signed underrated center Matt Cullen and Eric Nystrom to three-year contracts. They added John Madden in August, bringing in a quality veteran center.

This is another one-game series that should be interesting. The Wild were a good team out West, but fell apart a bit last season. It’ll be another homecoming for Madden, and it should be an interesting game. But it’s only for two points, and while it would be nice to get the win, this one game shouldn’t impact the standings.

Stat Pack

Langenbrunner’s hat trick was the first of his career…In 10 career starts against Minnesota, Brodeur is 7-1-2 with a 2.23 goals against average and a .925 save percentage.