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Goalie nods: Dubnyk (illness) out, Kuemper in as Wild fight for playoff lives

kuemperdub

Bruce Kluckhohn

Minnesota comes into tonight’s action sitting two points back of Colorado for the final wild card spot in the Western Conference.

If the Wild want to draw level with the Avs, they’ll need their No. 2 goalie to come up big.

With Devan Dubnyk ruled out due to illness, Minnesota will go with Darcy Kuemper tonight as it hosts Edmonton at Xcel. Kuemper, who came on in relief of Dubnyk last game out -- stopping all 18 shots in an eventual loss to St. Louis -- has a bit of recent history on his side, as his last win came on Feb. 18 against these same Oilers, when he stopped 31 of 33 shots for just his sixth victory of the season.

The Wild could really use No. 7.

Tonight’s game is Minnesota’s last before setting out on a three-game eastern swing through Montreal, Ottawa and New Jersey. While it’s hardly a formidable trio, the Wild have struggled on the road this season -- at 14-14-6, they have the 11th-worst away record in the league.

For the Oilers, Cam Talbot is likely to get the start in net.

Elsewhere...

-- Cam Ward versus Tuukka Rask as the ‘Canes visit Boston.

-- Robin Lehner, pulled in his last outing against the Rangers, goes back in as Buffalo travels to Montreal. Mike Condond starts for the Habs.

-- The slumping Red Wings will hope the slumping Petr Mrazek will turn things around tonight, against Winnipeg. Michael Hutchinson goes for the Jets.

-- After missing the last four games with a lower-body injury, Craig Anderson starts for Ottawa. Florida replies with Roberto Luongo.

-- Keith Kinkaid will continue to carry New Jersey’s starting load while Cory Scheider is sidelined with injury. The Devils are in San Jose to face the Sharks, who will start Martin Jones.