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Preview: The Wild, coming off a 4-3 shootout loss to Colorado, has scored one goal in regulation in six of the past seven games. It is the second-lowest-scoring team in the NHL at 2.00 goals per game. The up and down Red Wings are winless in two and coming off a 5-2 home loss to Anaheim. The Wild is 3-1-5 in the past nine at home against Detroit.
Players to watch: Petr Mrazek, a 21-year-old Czech who tore up the AHL this year (17-6-1 with a 2.26 goals-against average for Grand Rapids) is expected to get the start for Detroit in goal. He won his NHL debut 5-1 against St. Louis on Feb. 9 with 26 saves. RW Mikael Samuelsson, who has played two games, will return from a groin injury. LW Henrik Zetterberg is tied for fifth in the NHL with 18 points and has scored 32 points in 34 games against the Wild. Wild captain Mikko Koivu is expected to play his 503rd game, moving him into third on the all-time list. G Niklas Backstrom is 2-0-1 in his past three starts with a 1.54 goals-against average. D Ryan Suter has four assists in the past four games and is second in the NHL in time on ice per game (27:29).
Numbers: The Wild's power play ranks 22nd at 15.7 percent; the Red Wings are 24th at 14.5 percent. ... The Wild ranks 10th defensively (2.5 goals allowed per game); the Red Wings rank 20th (2.93).
Injuries: Red Wings C Pavel Datsyuk (shoulder) is questionable. LW Johan Franzen (hip flexor), LW Todd Bertuzzi (back), D Carlo Colaicovo (shoulder), D Brendan Smith (shoulder) and C Darren Helm (back) are out. Wild G Josh Harding (symptoms related to multiple sclerosis) is out. LW/RW Pierre-Marc Bouchard (sick) and D Justin Falk (sick) are doubtful.
MICHAEL RUSSO
