(updated at 11:30 a.m.)
Forward Andrew Brunette (”lower body” injury) skated this morning at Xcel Energy Center, meaning all signs point to him being in the lineup for the 510th straight time tonight. Officially, though, he is not listed as in. Coach Jacques Lemaire said it will depend on how Brunette feels as the day goes on. Brunette declined to talk with the media, so we’ll all find out together around 6:30 when the team takes its pregame warm-ups.
It was a pretty uneventful morning skate for the Wild, as they tend to be. Four players (Gillies, Olvecky, Boogaard and Weller) stayed on the ice extra today, so I really don’t have a feel for who sits this one out. Of course, if Brunette doesn’t go it’s a whole different story.
In an uncharacteristic move, Lemaire has already stated that Niklas Backstrom will be in between the pipes tonight. He’ll face off down the rink from Jimmy Howard, who will make his season debut tonight for the Red Wings. Detroit called up Howard from Grand Rapids, giving Chris Osgood a 10-day respite.
The Wings - well, seven of them at least - are on the ice now going through a light workout.
There’s a ton of tours going on at the X today. I’m wondering if leaving my laptop here while I go grab lunch is a good idea or not. I have it on good authority that already game notes, media guides and game programs are being lifted from the press box by greedy fans. Hmmm ….
If I still have a computer later, I’ll come back on here pregame to give you the lineup updates. Until then, good Saturday.

This entry was posted on Saturday, February 21st, 2009 at 10:30 am 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.