6 p.m. at Carolina • PNC Arena • FSN, 100.3-FM

Aiming for uptick to end tough trip

Preview: The Wild, which entered this five-game road trip with the second-best road points percentage in the NHL, is 1-3 on the trip and has lost four of its past five games. The Wild is 4-5 since its bye. The Hurricanes, 3-3-4 in their past 10, will miss the playoffs for an eighth consecutive year. The Wild is 3-3-2 all-time at Carolina.

Players to watch: Wild G Darcy Kuemper was slated to start, but it wouldn't be surprising if the Wild changes course and starts Devan Dubnyk. LW Nino Niederreiter has one goal in his past 13 games. C Eric Staal, who had dinner Wednesday night with his brother Jordan and his two nieces, will face Jordan for the first time as a member of the Wild. D Ryan Suter is expected to play his 900th game. RW Charlie Coyle is expected to play his 300th consecutive game.

Numbers: The Wild has held a lead for 12 minutes, 40 seconds out of 300 minutes in the past five games (4-5). The Wild has allowed the first goal in eight of the past 10 games.

Injuries: Wild D Marco Scandella (maintenance) didn't practice Wednesday. If he can't play, the Wild will need to recall a defenseman. C Martin Hanzal (strep throat), D Christian Folin (upper body) and D Gustav Olofsson (upper body) are out. Hurricanes LW Brock McGinn (upper body), LW Phillip Di Giuseppe (upper body) and LW Valentin Zykov (upper body) are out.

Michael Russo