wild gameday

6 P.M. at WASHINGTON • FSN, 107.9-FM

Preview: The Wild has won six of seven games, scoring 24 goals over that stretch. The Capitals are coming off a 6-2 pounding of the New York Islanders, a game in which they scored four power-play goals. The Caps have the best power play (27.9 percent) and penalty kill (91.5 percent) in the NHL. The Wild is 1-5 at Washington, winning in D.C. in November 2002. It has been outscored 14-4 in the five losses.

Players to watch: Capitals LW Alex Ovechkin, the NHL's reigning MVP, is second in the league with 12 goals. He returned from a shoulder injury Tuesday and scored twice. C Nicklas Backstrom is tied for fourth in the NHL with 19 points and is tied for third with 14 assists. D Mike Green, who once scored 31 goals in a season, oddly has none. Wild RW Jason Pominville is fourth in the NHL with 10 goals. LW Zach Parise is tied for second with five power-play goals. G Josh Harding has allowed 12 goals in 12 games and leads the NHL with a 1.09 goals-against average and .951 save percentage.

Numbers: The Wild has won three games in a row. … In the past 10 games, the Capitals are 39-for-40 (97.5 percent) on the penalty kill; the Wild is second in the NHL on the power play (25 percent), fourth on the road.

Injuries: Wild D Keith Ballard (upper body) and LW Mike Rupp (knee) are out. Capitals D Jack Hillen (tibia) and D John Erskine (upper body) are out.

MICHAEL RUSSO