Preview: The Wild, 0-2-1 on its four-game homestand, is 0-6-1 in its past seven. It hasn't gone winless in eight consecutive since a nine-game streak (0-6-3) in 2001-02, and the only time it has gone winless in a four-game-plus homestand was November 2003 (0-3-1, tie). This is the first of two in a row vs. the Blues.
Players to watch: Since being acquired in the Erik Johnson trade, RW Chris Stewart has 10 goals in 18 games. If D Alex Pietrangelo had played fewer games the past two seasons, he would be the top-producing rookie defenseman in the NHL. He has 10 goals and 39 points.
Numbers: The last time the Wild and Blues met (Feb. 12), the teams combined for three fights and 74 penalty minutes. ... At home, G Niklas Backstrom is 6-1 with a 1.43 goals-against average and .939 save percentage vs. the Blues.
Injuries: Wild D Marek Zidlicky (hamstring), RW Cal Clutterbuck (ill) and C John Madden (foot) are questionable. LW Guillaume Latendresse (lower body) and defensemen Marco Scandella (finger) and Cam Barker (back) are out. Blues C Patrik Berglund (lower body) is questionable. C Vladimir Sobotka (foot), LW Alex Steen (ankle), D Barret Jackman (finger) and RW David Perron (concussion) are out.
Note: Wild C Warren Peters was reassigned to Houston of the AHL.
MICHAEL RUSSO
