wild gameday

5 P.M. VS. SAN JOSE • Xcel Energy Center • FSN, 100.3-FM

Preview: The Wild's three-game point streak came to an end when it was blown out 4-0 Friday in Columbus. The Sharks' six-game winning streak has been followed by consecutive losses at Pittsburgh and Carolina. The Wild plays San Jose in two of its next three games. The Wild is 5-0 in its past five against San Jose in St. Paul and visits San Jose on Thursday night.

Players to watch: G Josh Harding is expected to start. He leads the NHL with a 1.52 goals-against average, and 12 of his 15 wins have come at home. He is 26-5-1 at home since Jan. 27, 2010. C Kyle Brodziak has no goals and four assists in the past 19 games. Sharks C Joe Thornton is tied for fifth in the NHL with 32 points and is second with 27 assists. Forwards Logan Couture, Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski have combined for 82 points.

Numbers: The Wild has trailed at least 2-0 in five of its past seven games and in six consecutive losses. … The Wild is 10-1-5 in one-goal games. … The Sharks rank third in the NHL with 3.34 goals per game.

Injuries: Wild C Mikael Granlund (concussion) is out. Sharks F Raffi Torres (knee) and F Adam Burish (lower body) are out.

MICHAEL RUSSO