Brodin returns. Not Zucker #mnwild — Michael Russo (@Russostrib) March 3, 2016

Line Combinations

Tonight the Minnesota Wild draw a tough one square off with the Toronto Maple Leafs in Canada. Jonas Brodin is back in the lineup tonight after missing three weeks with a broken foot. Minnesota needs his presence back on the ice. Despite scoring more goals since Torch came in, Minnesota has still not played the best defensively. Newly acquired David Jones will dress and skate on the second line with Mikael Granlund and Thomas Vanek . Jones is a big body that can throw his weight around and has some offense to his game too. Despite Chris Porter playing above and beyond the call of duty on that second line, he slides back down to the fourth line with Stoll and Fontaine. Ryan Carter will be scratched in place of Porter on the fourth line. Devan Dubnyk gets a start tonight, which is a bit surprising considering how terrible Toronto has been and no one really knows what the hell they are really up to. But Minnesota needs all the "gimmie" points they can get with the season winding down.

Toronto Notes

The Maple Leafs are in the crapper this year and have been making deals left and right to try and clear some cap space. Since February 18 (two weeks ago today) Toronto has made 12 roster transactions; recalling players, waiving players and trading players. There are 13 players on the Maple Leafs right now that were acquired via trade this season. Some think they could be clearing space to make a run at Stamkos this off-season or maybe that's just me... Regardless they just have five wins since January 18, so Minnesota has to take advantage.

Key Figures

Minnesota has earned four straight wins against Toronto.

Since becoming linemates, Pominville (5-7=12, +9), Haula (4-6=10, +8) and Nino Niederreiter (5-4=9, +8) have combined for 31 points (14-17=31) and a plus-25 rating in nine games.

Ryan Suter has four helpers in a three-game assist streak and 11 points (1-10=11) in his last 14 games.