TUESDAY'S STORY LINE: Mikko Koivu's return will have to wait at least one more game. Head Coach Mike Yeo said the decision to keep Koivu out of the lineup was made this morning. Koivu, who has missed seven games with an upper body injury, could likely return Thursday at home against Vancouver.
"He wants to play, but he needs a couple more days. I think we are fairly confident that Thursday could be the target date for us, so we will keep our fingers crossed," said Yeo.
The Wild struggled earlier in this season without Koivu, but have fared better this time around. Minnesota lost the first two games without Koivu, but since then they have gone 3-1-1 in the absence of their captain.
When Koivu went down with his latest injury, Yeo noted how he wanted his players to step up, but not try to do too much, and they have accomplished that.
"What we have seen this time, I think it has been a big difference, we have guys who are stepping up, but our game hasn't changed. They are going out and still doing the same thing and because of that our team game has been very strong," added Yeo.
OTHER LINEUP NOTES: Defenseman Clayton Stoner (lower body injury) did not make the trip to Columbus. Marek Zidlicky will be in the lineup for the second-straight game after being a healthy scratch in four-straight games.
HE SAID IT: "This is a team that wasn't picked to finish at the spot that they are at right now. They have had a lot of injuries and they now have a lot of guys back in their lineup and they have a lot of guys that can hurt you, and if you are not ready to play the game, then it will lead to an awfully frustrating night."--Yeo on facing Columbus
