Preview: The Wild is coming off a 5-2 loss to Chicago and is 0-7-1 in its past eight on the road with seven goals in that stretch. The Wild has won seven of its past nine against the Blues, including twice this season. But that was a very different St. Louis team. Under Ken Hitchcock, the Blues are 19-5-6 and three points from the conference lead. They are 17-3-3 at home.

Players to watch: G Matt Hackett might start, depending on the status of ill, struggling goalies Niklas Backstrom and Josh Harding. Hackett is 2-0 this season. C Mikko Koivu has 19 points in 24 games against the Blues. ... D Marek Zidlicky has no goals this season but 21 points in 37 games vs. the Blues. ... G Jaroslav Halak will start for the Blues. He is coming off a 3-0 shutout at Montreal and is 0-2-3 all-time vs. the Wild.

Numbers: Wild defensemen currently in the lineup have scored three goals this season (Jared Spurgeon two, Greg Zanon one). ... The Blues are the second-best defensive team in the NHL (2.0 goals a game). ... The Wild power play is 1-for-33 the past 13 games.

Injuries: Wild LW/RW Pierre-Marc Bouchard, LW Guillaume Latendresse and RW Jarod Palmer are out, all because of concussions. Blues LW Andy McDonald (concussion), D Kent Huskins (ankle), LW Alex Steen (concussion) and D Kris Russell (groin) are out. D Barret Jackman (hip) is a game-time decision.

MICHAEL RUSSO