Mike Yeo's win is his return to Xcel Energy Center brought to mind the success of other former Minnesota coaches in their first games back in the state with new teams:

Kurt Rambis: The former Timberwolves coach, who had a dismal 32-132 record in two season here, got another chance last season as interim coach of the Knicks. He compiled a 9-19 record, but one of those wins — the first one, actually — came Feb. 20, 2016 against the Timberwolves in Minnesota.

Todd Richards: The Wild coach Yeo replaced took over the Blue Jackets midway through the 2011-12 season. His first game against his old team was Feb. 7, 2012 — a 3-1 victory in Columbus. The Blue Jackets defeated the Wild again by the same score, this time at Xcel Energy Center, four days later.

Kevin McHale: Another ex-Wolves coach came back to defeat his former team on Jan. 23, 2012, when McHale led the Rockets to a 107-92 victory at Target Center.

Read Michael Rand's blog at startribune.com/randball. michael.rand@startribune.com.