wild gameday
6 P.M. at COLUMBUS • nationwide ARENA • FSN, 100.3-FM
Preview: Columbus goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is sidelined because of a groin pull. His replacement is former Colorado College standout Curtis McElhinney. The Blue Jackets (11-14-3) are coached by ex-Wild bench boss Todd Richards.
Players to watch: Wild C Mikko Koivu has 24 points (eight goals) in 26 games against the Bluejackets, and Wild D Ryan Suter has 24 in 45. Niklas Backstrom, expected to start in goal, is 11-5-2 with a 2.11 goals-against average against Columbus. Columbus scoring leaders are C Ryan Johansen (10-10-20) and D James Wisniewski (2-16-18).
Numbers: Bluejackets RW Marian Gaborik is the Wild's all-time leader in goals (219) and points (437). The Wild is 23-16-7 against Columbus, 7-11-4 at Nationwide.
Injuries: Wild C Mikael Granlund (concussion) is out. For Columbus, Bobrovsky, Gaborik, RW Jared Boll (foot), RW Nathan Horton (shoulder) are out; C Derek McKenzie (upper body) is questionable.
CHRIS MILLER
