Same lineup as last game. Krys Kolanos is indeed scratched, as expected, so Tomas Mojzis will play wing again even-strengthed. I’ll be back after the game. 

Should be a tiny crowd tonight at the old Ice Palace. All eyes in these parts will be across the bay in St. Pete, where the Rays will be hosting the Sox in Game 6 of the ALCS.

Coach Jacques Lemaire was keeping the lineup a secret. He said he didn’t think Owen Nolan (leg) would play tonight: “It’s not good enough. So why? It’s not perfect.”

So it sounds like the Wild won’t risk it with Nolan. If he doesn’t play tonight, he’ll be able to get lots of rest for a possible return Thursday against Buffalo.

Marian Gaborik is still not skating with his lower body injury, but he rode the bike this morning. Lemaire wouldn’t say if Krys Kolanos or Tomas Mojzis would play. One of them at least will.

Not much going on. If you didn’t notice, Niklas Backstrom is back to wearing last year’s helmet. He said he reordered his new helmet — the one with the “mean eagle and bear” on it — because it was the wrong size.

Barry Melrose said he’d use the same exact Lightning lineup as its OT loss to the Islanders. Paul Ranger and Lukas Krajicek will probably get the assigment of defending the hottest line in the NHL — Brunette, Koivu and Miettinen.

Koivu was the talk of the skate today. I’ll probably do a lead note on him for tomorrow, but I’m saving lots for a later feature.

Lots of Minnesota connections on the Bolts. Obviously, you know Wes Walz, but there’s also Brian Lawton, front-office man Tom Kurvers, players Ryan Malone, Mike Lundin and Adam Hall (former Wild) and strength and conditioning coach Kevin Ziegler, a Minneapolis firefighter.

Was chatting with Lawton. As you probably know, Bret Hedican is still skating in hopes of latching on with a team. The Lightning had interest in the mobile veteran defenseman from St. Paul, but he wants to catch on with a team closer to California where his wife, Kristi Yamaguchi, lives.

Instead, the Lightning will soon sign Marek Malik.

Mark Parrish also continues to skate on his own, but he probably should have taken that tryout with Carolina. With Justin Williams out long-term, Parrish would have earned himself a spot. Now every team knows Parrish is without a training camp, which is hurting him.

Lawton says he wishes he had room for Parrish, but he doesn’t.

More later.

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