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Wild's Kyle Rau: Set for playoff debut Friday

With the Wild down 3-1 in the series, coach Bruce Boudreau evidently felt the need to tinker with his lines ahead of the do-or-die Game 5. When Rau was drafted by the Panthers (2011 third-rounder), scouts talked a lot about the diminutive center's raw skills and quickness, so perhaps the feisty bugger will be able to make a tangible difference in the series. The University of Minnesota product compiled 164 points (67 goals, 97 assists) over 160 games for the Gophers from 2011-15, but he's since been limited to 36 regular-season games between the Panthers and Wild with some AHL stops in between.

Wild's Kyle Rau: Recalled from minors

Rau played three games for Minnesota this season and notched one helper. He spent the rest of his time with AHL Iowa, accruing 23 goals and 50 points in 69 games. The 25-year-old's being recalled because AHL Iowa's season is over, but he won't slot in for Game 3 against the Jets.

Wild's Kyle Rau: Sent to AHL affiliate

The 25-year-old pivot will play for the Wild's minor-league affiliate during the NHL's upcoming all-star break, but there's a chance he'll be recalled by the big club for a second time ahead of Tuesday's clash with the Blue Jackets. Rau has tallied a single assist in two games with Minnesota this campaign.

Wild's Kyle Rau: Brought up to big club

Rau has been moderately productive in the minors this season, totaling 11 goals and 21 points in 36 contests. The Wild only had 12 healthy forward on their roster prior to Rau's promotion, so he'll round out the big club's depth up front for the foreseeable future.

Wild's Kyle Rau: Earns one-year, two-way deal with Minny

Rau hails from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, so this will be a homecoming of sorts for the speedy pivot. He wasn't given much of an opportunity in the NHL with the Panthers the past two seasons, scoring twice with a single assist over 33 games. Still, this is a guy who added 164 (67 goals, 97 assists) points for the University of Minnesota between 2011-15, so the potential is there for him to make an impact with the Wild in due time.