Preview: The Wild has won four in a row at home and has won eight of its past 10 overall. The Blues are 4-0-1 since Davis Payne was fired and Ken Hitchcock was hired after the Wild beat St. Louis on Nov. 5. ... The Wild is 13-4-4 all-time at home against St. Louis and has scored first in the 10 past home meetings (7-3).
Players to watch: C Matt Cullen leads the Wild with eight goals after having 12 all of last season. G Niklas Backstrom is expected to start. In his past six appearances (five starts), he is 4-1 with a .960 save percentage. Blues C Jason Arnott has 27 points in 31 games against the Wild. G Jaroslav Halak is set to start. He's 0-2-2 with a 3.05 goals-against average and .891 save percentage against the Wild.
Numbers: The Wild has given up 15 goals in nine home games for a 1.67 goals-against average and 37 goals in 19 games overall for a league-best 1.95 goals-against average. ... The Blues outscored their opponents 14-4 the past five games.
Injuries: Wild D Marco Scandella (concussion), D Marek Zidlicky (concussion), LW Guillaume Latendresse (concussion), D Greg Zanon (groin) and D Mike Lundin (back) are out. Blues RW Chris Stewart (suspended), RW David Perron (concussion), LW Andy McDonald (concussion), RW B.J. Crombeen (shoulder), D Kent Huskins (ankle) and D Carlo Colaiacovo (hamstring) are out.
