Wild gameday

Last update: January 3, 2007 - 7:43 PM

Preview: The Wild, the NHL's best home team with a 17-3-1 record, could win its ninth consecutive home game in the same season for the first time. It is 4-1-1 all-time vs. Tampa Bay, 3-0 at home.

Players to watch: RW Pierre-Marc Bouchard has eight points in his past three games, and LW Mark Parrish has eight goals in his past 12. LW Brian Rolston's past five goals have come on the power play; Rolston has 35 points in 43 games vs. Tampa. D Filip Kuba, who played five years for the Wild, returns with seven goals and 26 points. The Big Three -- Martin St. Louis, Vincent Lecavalier and Brad Richards -- have 60 goals and 134 points.

Numbers: The Wild is 8-for-29 on the power play during the homestand (27.6 percent); it has scored eight PPG on the road all season. ... Tampa's 128 goals against would be the third-most in the West.

Injuries: Wild D Petteri Nummelin (back/hip) is out; RW Marian Gaborik (groin) is doubtful. Lightning D Paul Ranger (hand) is day-to-day; F Rob DiMaio (concussion) is out.

MICHAEL RUSSO

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