Gameday: Wild vs. Detroit

Last update: December 21, 2007 - 10:18 PM

Preview: The Wild, winner of nine of 12, tries to win five in a row for the second time this season. Detroit, however, is running away with the Western Conference with a 25-7-3 record. The Red Wings' 11-game point streak (10-0-1) ended Thursday in a 3-2 loss to St. Louis. The Wild is 6-15-4 against Detroit, which beat Minnesota 5-0 Dec. 7.

Players to watch: Wild RW Marian Gaborik recorded the 55th five-plus goal game (42nd player) Thursday against the Rangers. He has at least a point in 11 of his past 12 games. D Brent Burns has five points in his past four games and 18 this season, seven off his career high. G Josh Harding has won four in a row with a 1.75 goals-against average and .942 save percentage. Wings LW Henrik Zetterberg, who had a hat trick against the Wild two weeks ago, is second in the NHL with 25 goals and 50 points. C Pavel Datsyuk is eighth with 42 points. If G Dominik Hasek starts, he's 8-0-2 against the Wild with three shutouts and a 0.98 goals against average.

Numbers: The Wild is 7-0 on Saturdays this season. ... The Wings have scored a league-high 124 goals and have allowed only 81, tied for second-fewest in the NHL. ... Detroit's power play ranks second in the NHL.

Injuries: Red Wings RW Tomas Holmstrom (knee) and LW Kirk Maltby (back) are out. Wild C Mikko Koivu (leg), LW Derek Boogaard (back), LW Todd Fedoruk (shoulder) and D/W Petteri Nummelin (head/nose) are out.

MICHAEL RUSSO

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