Update: Hearing it could be Harding tonight. Not confirmed. Just a whistle in the wind. 

3 games on CBC today, including the big finale — Minnesota at Calgary.

Good day back in the Twin Cities. Wild had an extremely optional skate this morning, so optional in fact that a certain beat writer exercised his option.

But after watching Family Guy on the planeride over here, I’m all ready to go.

The Wild did get a pleasant surprise upon arriving in Calgary. Center Eric Belanger, thought to be lost for the regular season with a broken big toe, greeted the team at the Saddledome this morning.

Belanger’s missed six games and won’t play tonight, but he’s day-to-day and will begin practicing. Whether he plays Monday in Edmonton is still to be determined.

His return suddenly creates some questions. Benoit Pouliot was outstanding last night, and Jacques Lemaire’s eyes lit up when talking about him.

Do you take Pouliot out when Belanger returns? Do you take James Sheppard out? Do you return Pavol Demitra to wing (Jacques loves him at center)? Do you put Pouliot at wing?

And if Pouliot or Demitra go to wing, where does that leave Mark Parrish, who suddenly looks like he’s on the outside looking in?

I assume Demitra goes back to wing, and Chris Simon comes out when Belanger returns.

Incidentally, in my blog last night, I didn’t mention how good the blue line was. Nick Schultz is terrific. Every time he hops the boards, you get the sense, “Ok, the Wild are safe on this shift.” And man, Martin Skoula bounced back from a rough night in San Jose. He was very good. Kim Johnsson skated the puck out of trouble often. 

Boy, Brian Rolston’s also been terrific the last 2-3 weeks. Consistent effort every night, working hard, even physical. And scoring nightly.

I don’t know the lineup tonight, but Lemaire was pleased with Derek Boogaard, Chris Simon and Todd Fedoruk last night, so I’m guessing he sticks with the same lineup.

I don’t know whether the Wild comes back with Nik Backstrom or goes with Josh Harding? It’ll solely depend, I’m guessing, on how Backstrom said he felt when the coaches asked him.

Harding’s got one win since Jan. 13 and has made two starts since Feb. 12. Harding is on the ice, I’m told, and Backstrom is working off the ice, but that’s not always an indication.

Tonight’s a huge game. Even more than the two points, this could be a first-round playoff preview. If they’re going to meet, the Wild really needs to gain some confidence that it can win in this building.

The Wild’s won three games out of 20 in history in Calgary, and once in 13 visits since Nov. 7, 2003.

Talk to you tonight.

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