Preview: The Wild, tied with a league-high 24 goals, completes its four-game road trip (1-1-1) after winning in Boston 5-0 on Tuesday. The Wild is 7-2-2 in its past 11 against the Sabres, outscoring them 37-23. It is 7-2 all-time in Buffalo.
Players to watch: C Joel Eriksson Ek is the first Wild teenager and fourth Wild rookie to have three assists in a game, and second Wild rookie to be plus-3 in a game. LW Mikael Granlund is the only Wild forward without a goal. Former Sabres captain Jason Pominville has six points in six games against his former team. New Sabres winger and former Gopher Kyle Okposo has eight points in 12 games against Minnesota. Former Wild Matt Moulson leads the Sabres with four goals.
Numbers: Sixteen Wild players have scored at least one goal, three more than any other NHL team. … The Wild's first-period goal and shot differential is -2 and -22. Its second-period goal and shot differential is a league-best plus-9 and plus-22. … The Wild has the NHL's second-best penalty kill (20-for-21, 95.2 percent).
Injuries: Wild D Jared Spurgeon (upper body) and C Erik Haula (foot) skated during Wednesday's optional practice. Bruce Boudreau indicated they would miss their fourth game in a row. Sabres C Jack Eichel (ankle) and LW Evander Kane (ribs) are out. G Robin Lehner (ill) is questionable.
Michael Russo
