The Wild are also missing crucial players in Kirill Kaprizov and Jonas Brodin. The former has played at a Hart Trophy level this season while the latter is one of the best defenders in the sport and would be a top candidate to try and slow Laine down.

Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are scheduled and offers insight and analysis to help predict who will be victorious in head-to-head matchups.