Season opener: Wild face-off with Blue Jackets

The Minnesota Wild open the 2011-12 season Saturday night at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Analysts throughout the NHL believe the Wild will be a fringe playoff team. Locally, the fans are hoping a new and improved offense will lead the team back to the postseason.

Author:

BMTN Staff

The Minnesota Wild are looking to follow-up a 2011 campaign, where they failed to make the playoffs for a third-straight year, with a successful start to their 11th season today against Columbus.

And with an active off-season, there is a lot to be excited about in St. Paul

New additions Dany Heatley and Devin Setoguchi are expected to add firepower on offense, but the Associated Press says it might be three returning Wild players that make the difference.

Fox Sports' Kevin Gorg expects the Wild to surprise fans.

Hockey Wilderness has ten questions for the Minnesota Wild.

The Wild hope a revamped lineup and softer schedule equals postseason success, and it all starts against Columbus tonight.

Optimism isn't universal as some have the Wild out of the playoffs. Others, just barely getting in.

But win, lose or draw -- former player and fan favorite Wes Walz will be joining the Wild broadcast team.

The Star Tribune's Michael Russo has tonight's lines for the Wild.

Prior to the 7 p.m. start at Xcel, the Wild will honor former players before face-off.