Gameday: Wild at Dallas

Last update: December 25, 2007 - 9:17 PM

Preview: The Wild, winner of nine of 13 but barely fifth in the West, is coming off a 4-1 loss to Detroit on Saturday and meets the former North Stars for the first time this season. Dallas, second in the West and five points up on the Pacific Division lead, has won six of seven (three in overtimes or shootouts). The Stars, who have the NHL's fourth-best power play and second-best penalty kill, are tied for the second-most goals in the West (109).

Players to watch: RW Marian Gaborik, who will establish a franchise record by playing his 439th game, has a seven-game point streak (12), one short of his career longest. LW Brian Rolston has 11 points in his past 11 games. LW Stephane Veilleux has no points and is a minus-7 in the past 11 games. LW Mark Parrish has been searching for his 200th goal since Nov. 15. G Josh Harding, who has never faced Dallas, has won four in a row with a 1.75 goals-against average and .942 save percentage. Stars G Marty Turco is 9-4-1 against the Wild with a 1.78 GAA and .919 save percentage. C Mike Modano leads Dallas with 21 points in 23 games vs. the Wild, and D Sergei Zubov has 17 points in 22 games. F's Mike Ribeiro and Niklas Hagman are having breakout seasons with 31 combined goals.

Numbers: Five of the Wild's past seven losses have been by three or more goals. ... The Wild is 11-for-11 in killing off 5-on-3s this season. ... Dallas has given up 2.46 goals a game, seventh in the NHL. Minnesota has allowed 2.56, which ranks eighth.

Injuries: Stars D Philippe Boucher (shoulder) and RW Jere Lehtinen (sports hernia) are out. Wild LW Todd Fedoruk (shoulder) is cleared to play; C Mikko Koivu (leg) and LW Derek Boogaard (back) are out.

MICHAEL RUSSO

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