Bruins, Wild Set for Central Showdown in Saint Paul SAINT PAUL, Minn. (Interstat) — Two teams jockeying for playoff position in their respective conferences will clash Sunday when the Boston Bruins visit the Minnesota Wild at Grand Casino Arena. The Bruins (19-13-0) arrive after a commanding 6-3 road victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday, powered by a four-point night from star winger David Pastrnak. Boston has won three straight and four of its last five, averaging 4.6 goals per game during that hot stretch. Pastrnak, with two goals and two assists against Winnipeg, has been central to the surge. He has recorded eight points (2 goals, 6 assists) in his last five games. “When he’s feeling it, he drives our entire offense,“ Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said after Thursday’s win. The Wild (18-14-0), coming off a 3-2 home win over Ottawa on Saturday, will counter with their own momentum, having won two straight and three of their last four. Their success is anchored by goaltender Jesper Wallstedt, who made 34 saves in the victory over the Senators. The young netminder has been formidable, posting a .955 save percentage over his last three starts, including a 33-save shutout of Edmonton on Dec. 2. “Jesper gives us a chance every night. He’s playing with tremendous confidence,“ Wild coach John Hynes said. The matchup pits Boston’s recently explosive offense against Minnesota’s stingy defense and goaltending. The Bruins’ top line, featuring Pastrnak, will test a Wild penalty kill that has been successful in 87% of its opportunities over the past five games. Minnesota’s balanced scoring attack, led by Joel Eriksson Ek, will face a Bruins defense corps that has contributed significantly to the recent win streak. Defensemen Hampus Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy combined for three points and five hits in the Winnipeg victory. According to National Statistical’s game simulator, the projected final score is Minnesota 4, Boston 3. The game is the only scheduled meeting between the clubs this season. Following Sunday’s contest, Boston begins a four-game homestand against Utah on Tuesday. Minnesota opens a brief two-game road trip in Washington on Tuesday.