wild gameday
2 P.M. VS. WINNIPEG • MTS CENTre • FSN, 107.9-FM
Preview: The Wild has twice defeated the Jets this season, winning 2-1games at Xcel Energy Center. The three remaining games between the Central Division rivals are in Winnipeg. The Wild is 8-1-1 in its past 10 games, while Winnipeg is 5-4-1 and has not won in its past three games.
Players to watch: Wild center Mikko Koivu has four goals and eight assists in his past eight games, tying him with Chicago's Patrick Sharp for most points in the NHL since Nov. 5. … Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien, a Minnesota native, has 19 points and is the second-highest-scoring defenseman in the NHL.
Numbers: The Wild is 4-4-2 on the road, with a 3-1-1 mark in its past five away from home.
Injuries: Wild D Keith Ballard (upper body) and G Niklas Backstrom (concussion) are unlikely to play, while F Torrey Mitchell (leg) is out. Jets F Jim Slater (hernia), D Zach Bogosian (groin), D Jacob Trouba (upper body) and D Paul Postma (blood clot) are out.
RACHEL BLOUNT
