7 p.m. at Chicago • NBCSN, 100.3-FM
Wild tries to string together strong run before taking a week off
Preview: Both the Wild (22-17-4) and Chicago (21-15-6) are playing the second games of a back-to-back. Chicago put together a dominant 8-2 victory at Ottawa on Tuesday while the Wild lost to Calgary 3-2 in overtime at home. The Wild has another back-to-back Saturday and Sunday vs. Central-leading Winnipeg and Western Conference bottom-dweller Vancouver before its bye week. "We're a better home team than we are a visiting team right now," coach Bruce Boudreau said.
Players to watch: Chicago F Jonathan Toews has 39 points in 39 games vs. the Wild. F Patrick Kane has 39 points in 43 games, including two goals in the most recent meeting, a 4-1 Blackhawks victory on Dec. 17 in Chicago.
Numbers: The Wild is 9-4-1 in its past 14 games vs. Chicago and is 5-2 in the past seven at United Center, including 1-1 this season. The Wild won 5-2 there on Oct. 12, when Chris Stewart scored twice and Devan Dubnyk made 36 saves.
Injuries: Wild F Nino Niederreiter (lower body) is out. Chicago F Artem Anisimov (upper body), G Corey Crawford (upper body), F Marian Hossa (allergies) and D Michal Rozsival (upper body) are out.
MEGAN RYAN
