🏒 GAME TONIGHT 🏒
Minnesota Wild at Nashville Predators
🚨 Puck drops at 7:00 PM Central · Thursday, October 1, 2026
📍 @Away · Bridgestone Arena
Off-Season Updates
Hey Wild fans — Michael here. We’re back! The first game always feels like a fresh start: new combinations, new faces, and a whole season of reasons to yell at the TV.
New season, new look. Maxim Shabanov gets his first regular-season chance with Minnesota after a promising camp. I’m excited to see how he fits when the games count. Read the Shabanov preview
The Gus Bus is still in the shop. Filip Gustavsson starts the season on injured reserve while recovering from offseason hip surgery; Jesper Wallstedt and Calvin Pickard are Minnesota’s available goalies. Opening-night roster report
Thinking of Fabes. Brock Faber is out indefinitely following surgery for a fractured skull. Latest injury update
The other big change is how we find the game. Here’s your opening-night viewing guide.
In the Wild broadcast market
Wild+ on Prime Video · Separate Wild+ subscription.
A paid Prime membership isn’t required. Check eligibility and viewing options
Already have TV service?
Fubo Pro / Fubo Sports carry Wild+ locally. Spectrum TV also carries Wild+ in the territory. Check your package and local channel before buying another subscription.
Elsewhere in the U.S.
NHL Power Play in the ESPN app · ESPN Select or Unlimited.
Local blackouts apply, including in the opponent’s market. Check the game listing for your location before purchasing. ESPN plan details
In Nashville’s market: The Spot – Nashville 28 carries tonight’s regional broadcast. Predators viewing information
Check your ZIP and official viewing options
Viewing details checked October 1, 2026, for this edition. Availability depends on location and package.
What changed for tonight
In / out: Faber and Gustavsson are on injured reserve.
Starting goalie: Wallstedt — projected; Pickard is the projected backup.
Why it matters: I’ll be watching how the group settles into its assignments right from the opening faceoff.
🌟 Wild Hockey Insider Projected Lineup:
FORWARDS
Line 1: Kirill Kaprizov – Danila Yurov – Maxim Shabanov
Line 2: Blake Coleman – Joel Eriksson Ek – Matt Boldy
Line 3: Yakov Trenin – Ryan Hartman – Bobby Brink
Line 4: Nick Foligno – Michael McCarron – Marcus Foligno
DEFENSE
Def 1: Quinn Hughes – Jared Spurgeon
Def 2: Olli Maatta – Jonas Brodin
Def 3: Daemon Hunt – Zach Bogosian
GOALTENDERS
In Net: Jesper Wallstedt — projected
Backup: Calvin Pickard — projected
Injured: Faber, Gustavsson
Scratched (reported): Sturm, Spacek
Projected for October 1; subject to change. Game preview and line combinations · NHL lineup and scratch report
👀 Things to Watch: Wild vs. Predators (Game 1)
🔥 Shabanov’s first real test. Training camp gave us a reason to be curious. Tonight, I’m watching whether he can find space, keep the puck moving, and turn that opportunity into chances.
🧱 The little plays on defense. Clean exits, quick support, and fewer second chances around the crease. Those are the plays I want to see before we get carried away with the highlight reel.
🎯 Settle in early. It’s opening night on the road. I’ll be watching the first ten minutes: does Minnesota establish its game, or spend the opening stretch chasing Nashville?
🤔 What can we do better?
Reply to this email with any feedback or suggestions. We’re always looking to improve!
Let’s go Wild!
— Michael
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