NEW YORK -- The Wild begins a two-game road trip featuring back-to-back games on Thursday when it takes on the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
Minnesota is coming off a disappointing 0-3-1 homestand, including a 4-0 loss to the Anaheim Ducks its last time out, but is hopeful that some time on the road can help cure what ails it.
The Wild is just 1-6-3 since the All-Star break but remained entrenched as the Western Conference's second wild card team as the sun came up on Wednesday.
Minnesota enters play on Thursday having been shutout in back-to-back games; the Wild lost 4-0 to St. Louis on Sunday.
But the Wild was very much in the game against the Ducks, trailing 1-0 late into the third period before Anaheim pulled away with three goals in a five-minute span, including an empty netter.
"I think we're playing better. That's a good thing. Take away the last five minutes of the game, we outplayed them," said Wild defenseman Ryan Suter. "We just can't score right now. I think if we can figure that out, I think we're getting the rest of our game in order. If we can figure out the scoring side of it I think we'll be fine."
Minnesota experienced some weather-delayed travel leaving the Twin Cities on Wednesday, both at home and in the New York area, where snow is also delaying air travel. After the game against the Rangers, the Wild will proceed to Detroit for a game against the Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on Friday.
The Rangers have shuffled between wins and losses for the last two weeks, never winning or losing more than one game in a row. New York is coming off a 2-1 win in Carolina on Tuesday ... but the question remains, can the Wild keep that trend intact?
Forward Mika Zibanejad leads the Rangers with 26 goals, 32 assists and 58 points. Chris Kreider has 24 goals and 44 points while Kevin Hayes as 14 goals among 42 points.
Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist has started 41 games, posting a record of 17-15-8 with a 2.97 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage.
