Preview: The Wild, which has lost three in a row, lost to Nashville at home 3-1 on Jan. 22. Nashville has won four in a row, including a win over Los Angeles and victories in San Jose and St. Louis.

Players to watch: Wild G Josh Harding is expected to start. C Mikko Koivu has 26 points in 24 games against the Predators. RW Dany Heatley, without a point in five games, has 14 goals and 24 points in 18 games against Nashville. C Kyle Brodziak has no points and is minus-8 in the past nine games. Predators G Pekka Rinne is 8-3-1 with a 2.20 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage against Minnesota but just 3-3-1 with a 3.69 goals-against average and .863 save percentage in St. Paul. RW Martin Erat has 27 points in 34 games against the Wild.

Numbers: The Wild has scored 21 goals in 10 games and five goals in regulation in the past 250 minutes, 19 seconds (four-plus games). ... The Wild lost three of four to the Preds last year but is 12-8-3 all-time at home. ... Former defense partners Ryan Suter of the Wild and Shea Weber of Nashville are struggling. Suter is minus-7 and Weber has one assist.

Injuries: Wild D Jared Spurgeon (foot) is out. Predators RW Patric Hornqvist (knee) is out.

MICHAEL RUSSO