Preview: Struggling Blackhawks Visit Playoff-Pushing Wild SAINT PAUL, Minn. (Interstat) — The Minnesota Wild look to solidify their playoff position when they host the struggling Chicago Blackhawks at Grand Casino Arena on Tuesday night. The Wild (29-24-0) sit in the second Western Conference wild-card spot and are coming off a 4-3 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers on Saturday. Joel Eriksson Ek scored in that defeat, continuing his consistent two-way play. The center has three goals and three assists in his last eight games and remains a key catalyst for Minnesota’s attack alongside Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy. Chicago (21-30-0) arrives after a 2-1 shootout loss to Tampa Bay on Friday, marking its seventh loss in the last ten games. The Blackhawks’ offense has sputtered, scoring two or fewer goals in regulation in six of those contests. All eyes will be on Chicago’s Connor Bedard, the dynamic center who leads the team in scoring. Bedard has a goal and three assists in his last seven games but was held without a point in the recent meeting with Tampa Bay. His ability to generate chances, evidenced by 21 shots on goal over that seven-game stretch, will be critical for an upset. Minnesota won the only previous meeting this season, a 4-3 overtime victory in Chicago on Nov. 26. The Wild have shown resilience in close games, with a 4-2 record in their last six contests decided by one goal. For Chicago, the matchup begins a two-game road trip before returning home. Minnesota opens a brief two-game homestand before heading to Western Canada. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST.