Get in-game updates from your mobile phone or PC on startribune.com
Preview: The Wild completes its second of nine back-to-backs this season. In its first, Minnesota swept Colorado and Dallas. The Blackhawks, coming off former Wild first-round draft pick Nick Leddy's overtime winner over Detroit, have an NHL-best 12 points -- off to a perfect 6-0 start (4-0 on the road). The Wild and Blackhawks split last season's series 2-2.
Players to watch: G Josh Harding is expected to start for the Wild. He is 6-3 all-time vs. Chicago with a 2.32 goals-against average and .930 save percentage. D Ryan Suter has 25 points in 44 games against Chicago -- his most vs. any team. Blackhawks RW Marian Hossa has 17 points in 19 games against the Wild, while C Jonathan Toews has 14 points in 15 games. Before Tuesday's games, RW Patrick Kane was eighth in the NHL with nine points and Hossa was tied for second with five goals.
Numbers: Harding is 23-11-2 all-time at Xcel Energy Center with a 2.06 GAA and .928 save percentage. ... The Wild is 14-7-1 all-time at home vs. Chicago.
Injuries: Wild D Jared Spurgeon (foot) is out. Blackhawks D Steve Montador (concussion), LW Daniel Carcillo (knee) and LW Rostislav Olesz (knee) are out. D Michal Rozsival (lower body) is questionable.
MICHAEL RUSSO
