Preview: The Wild, playing without Mikko Koivu and still on the cusp of a playoff spot, looks for its second consecutive victory. Detroit, currently second in the West, comes to Xcel Energy Center for this matinee having won four games in a row.

Players to watch: Wild W Martin Havlat is one point away from 500 for his career. He has three assists in two games vs. Detroit this season. C Kyle Brodziak (3-11-14) has 14 points in the past 14 games, during which the Wild has gone 10-4. G Niklas Backstrom, who will be in the nets, is 1-4-2 with a 3.57 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage all-time vs. Detroit. Detroit RW Todd Bertuzzi, who will play in his 1,000th career game Sunday, has scored two goals in three of the Wings' past four games. He has 31 points in 43 games vs. the Wild.

Numbers: The Wild penalty kill is going at an 88.4 percent clip since Dec. 31, second-best in the NHL in that time. Detroit and Minnesota are ranked 5-6 in the NHL on the power play.

Injuries: D Marek Zidlicky (shoulder) returned to action Friday; D Marco Scandella (concussion) returned to practice Saturday; C Mikko Koivu (hand) is out. Detroit C Mike Modano (wrist surgery), G Chris Osgood (sports hernia surgery) and C/LW Valtteri Flippula (knee) are out.

KENT YOUNGBLOOD