Revenge on the menu as threats fly ahead of a clash between the Wild and Preds.

This game has all the makings of a good old fashion hockey game with the level of genuine animosity between these two teams having gone well beyond the boiling point.

This week Minnesota Wild veteran forward Marcus Foligno made it clear that he and his teammates would be out for revenge on Saturday when the Wild collide with the Nashville Predators. Foligno made no effort to hide the fact that revenge was on the menu when speaking about his intentions ahead of the game.

"When you see a guy cheapshotted, that stuff needs to be answered for," Foligno said earlier this week as per The Athletic. "The L’Heureux thing is blatant, trying to hurt a guy. We got into the boards so many times with D-men. You just guide them in. It’s not the ’80s or ’90s where you can get away with anything on the forecheck."

"They’ve got a lot of guys on Nashville that understand the code, and the young kid doesn’t understand. It’s frustrating. There will be a price to pay for that game. I’m sure he’ll have to answer to someone."

The cheap shot that Foligno is referring to in those comments is one that Predators rookie forward Zachary L'Heureux delivered to the Wild captain Jared Spurgeon, a cheap shot that appeared to be quite deliberate and one that left Spurgeon injured and out of the lineup.

Here's a look at the replay of the match that lit the fuse:

If the Predators are intimidated by the threats from Foligno however they aren't showing it, with Michael McCarron making it clear on Saturday that he feels his team is ready to step up and answer the bell.

"I mean, obviously they're frustrated with what happened to their captain, as we would be," admitted McCarron. "I don't know, Foligno has been around a long time. I think he knows something has to be done. But they can say everything they want. We have guys in here that'll protect our team, and [Zach's] not too shy himself. I mean, he's a physical player. I don't know. It's an unfortunate event, I would say, and it just happened that it hurt a guy. I don't think he means to do it. His resume may say he's a dirty player, but l've been around him quite a long time and I don't think he's necessarily a dirty player. I think he just plays really hard.

"And it's unfortunate that that happened, and also unfortunate what was said. I mean, obviously they want to seek retribution in some way. But like I said, we have guys on our team that will protect our teammates and it should be a good one tonight."

While veteran players like McCarron may not be phased, he did admit that the talk may impact the play of some of his less experienced teammates.

"I would say maybe it might affect a younger player like Zach." said McCarron. "I think he may be thinking about it a little bit. But, I mean, there's been some talks in here, like I just said, we have guys that are that are going to stick up for him, and he can stick up for himself too.

"He's a tough little player, but yeah, I mean, 1 think it may have may affect younger players. I don't think it really affects veteran players. I think, you know, usually, when something like that happens, you gotta answer the bell. I think Zach knows that. l think he's ready to go tonight. And it's not like he's gonna have to fight a heavyweight like Foligno, but you know, he might have guys come after him, and he's more than willing to protect himself. I don't know, it's the Wild and Preds game. There's always, always some sort of mischief going on. So, yeah, just like every other Wild and Preds game, I'd say."

This one should be an extremely entertaining affair.