Tonight: Aeros at OKC Barons

Everyone thought the OKC Barons would fall off the map once the lockout ended. In fact, the opposite has happened, and Todd Nelson's team might arguably be better now without their studs, who are now in Edmonton. They are better defensively, and they seem to keep every game close.

The Aeros have split two games with the Barons since the lockout ended, with each team winning on home ice.

Tonight, the Aeros will play their final road game before starting a major 10-game homestand on Saturday against the Rochester Amerks. The Aeros really need to bear down tonight and go for two points, as the game Saturday will favor the Americans on the schedule. They had Thursday off, and the Aeros will be playing their third game in three days will travel to and from OKC.

Salty goal by M. Scandella (6) - Photo by Morris Molina

That is just my gut feeling, but the recent play of the Aeros suggests that they have a very good shot of taking at least one of these two games. Like John mentioned last night through quotes from Torchetti, the Aeros have to be more disciplined tonight. If not, Mark Arcobello and Jonathan Cheechoo will slice them apart.

And you have to figure Darcy Kuemper, who has been spectacular, will get a break. Maybe, maybe not. The Wild have not been shy about playing a well-rested goalie three straight games. You have to figure though that he'll sit one, especially with a groin injury not too far out of the rear-view mirror.

In their last 10 games, the Barons have points in seven of them (5-3-0-2). They have lost three straight home games, but they managed to get an OT point in two of them.

I like how the Aeros are playing right now; they've certainly attained an edge and are playing a salty game since that six-game winless streak back in January.

Torchetti loves the group he has right now and even went on the record as saying that he'd hate to play his team in the first round of the playoffs.

He's right; if the Aeros can stay away from the injury bug and be a tad more disciplined, they'll have a chance to make some noise in the Calder Cup playoffs.