Puck drops just after 6:00pm ET tonight...

from Michael Russo of the Star Tribune,

Not only will Saturday’s game be the first time two NHL teams meet with simultaneous win streaks of at least seven games, it’ll be the first time in NHL, NBA, MLB and NFL history two teams meet with win streaks of at least 12 games, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

That historical significance was “cool” and “neat” to everybody Friday, and while Wild players expect the crowd to be buzzing and are aware a ticket to the game is suddenly a hot commodity, both teams took different tacks after their respective practices.

Inside the Wild locker room, player after player echoed their coach by noting it’s “just Game 36” and the game’s worth two points just like every other.

“It’s not the Super Bowl, it’s not the Stanley Cup,” Wild coach Bruce Boudreau said. “It’s Game 36. It’s got a good, little story line, but that’s all it is.”

But Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella offered a different message, saying that in the monotony of an 82-game season, he’s happy the players have something to get excited about.

“I want our guys to revel in it,” said Tortorella, before noting that his team actually hasn’t played well this last little stretch. “Both teams deserve a lot of credit and they should feel good about what they’ve brought here, where they’re at. We know there’s a streak, we know there’s a streak over there. I’m glad we’re going to have an opportunity to play in this type of game.

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