6:30 p.m. at Tampa Bay • Amalie Arena • FSN, 100.3-FM
The trip does not get easier
Preview: The Wild's three-game road trip continues with a stop in Tampa Bay to close out its season series with the Lightning. During a day off Wednesday, the Wild recalled winger Matt Read under emergency conditions. Tampa Bay is coming off a 5-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday, which was its 12th win in the past 13 games.
Players to watch: Lightning F Nikita Kucherov, who leads the NHL in points with 108, averages 19 minutes, 39 seconds in ice time. F Brayden Point's team-leading 37 goals are among the most in the league. G Andrei Vasilevskiy has a career .933 save percentage vs. the Wild.
Numbers: Tampa Bay has outscored its opponents 56-26 in its past 13 games. The Lightning has scored five or more goals (including shootout-deciding goals) in 28 of its 67 games. The Wild is 7-2-2 in its past 11 road games.
Injuries: Wild Fs Victor Rask (lower body) and Mikko Koivu (torn ACL and meniscus) and D Matt Dumba (torn pectoral) are out.
Sarah McLellan
