Just got off the horn with Nick Schultz, who was readying to get out of the hospital. Here’s the story. 

> NHL, WILD ANNOUNCE DATE CHANGE FOR GAME 7 TO MONDAY, APRIL 21

>

> SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The National Hockey League (NHL) and the Minnesota Wild have announced that Game 7 (if necessary) of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Colorado Avalanche at Xcel Energy Center will now be played on Monday, Apr. 21, at a time to be determined. The game was originally scheduled for Tuesday, Apr. 22.

First, a little housekeeping. I was on XM this morning, and that will be replayed on NHL Network this afternoon at 4:30 local.

I’ll be on KFAN’s Chad Hartman Show at 3:25ish.

Also, I am told, there be a Russotan/Russoville pregame meal at McGovern’s around 4 p.m. in a back room by the second floor bar (as put together by KJ). I will not be able to make it, but I am honored that you all will be meeting.

Lots of action down at the X this morning.

First things first. I finally figured out why this is an 8 p.m. game. It’s on TSN in Canada, which was not listed on the original TV schedule.

So as color analyst Pierre McGuire said to me this morning, “Blame us.”

I do and did.

As for the lineup, Jacques Lemaire will either go with the three tough guys, or scratch Chris Simon or Derek Boogaard for Mark Parrish. It’ll be a surprise — not a good one for the person who’s sitting.

Lemaire wasn’t sharing a lot of stuff this morning. Finally, a local columnsist asked him if he practices saying nothing in front of the mirror: “It’s not easy,” Lemaire quipped.

James Sheppard was extremely excited to play his first NHL playoff game tonight. He got the playoff beard going already, which was impressive for a 19-year-old. Martin Skoula was also ecstatic to be playing his old team. Remember, Skoula won a Cup with the Avs in 2001.

Jordan Leopold, who I think is from here and may have played locally at some college, is a healthy scratch for the Avs. Paul Stastny, back from an appendectomy earlier this season, said it wouldn’t surprise him if Schultz is back in seven to 10 days.

Tonight’s refs? Don VanMassenhoven and Mike Hasenfratz. I hope they’re not an issue tonight because just their names alone will take up an inch of column type.

I’m about to transcribe and will add more stuff as I get it.

Enjoy the game tonight. I’m all hyped up, as my colleague can all attest to.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 9th, 2008 at 1:23 pm and is filed under Pregame skate. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.