Gameday: Wild vs. Edmonton

Last update: December 28, 2007 - 9:18 PM

Preview: This is the fifth game between the two teams this season and the Wild has yet to lose a game to the Oilers in regulation, carrying a 3-0-1 record overall and a 2-0-0 mark at Xcel Energy Center.

Players to watch: Edmonton captain Ethan Moreau will return to the lineup to play his first regular-season game since Oct. 21, 2006, when the left winger dislocated his shoulder against Detroit. He returned for the preseason but injured an ankle. He has missed 113 games. Winger Dustin Penner has seven points in nine games and has emerged as one of the Oilers' top players.

Numbers: Wild center Eric Belanger has a team-high six points in four games vs. Edmonton this season. Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Mark Parrish have five each. And remember, Parrish -- who scored his 200th career goal Thursday -- is due for a hot streak. Goalie Niklas Backstrom is 3-0-0 with a 1.51 goals-against average and a .944 save percentage vs. Edmonton this season. The Oilers have no victories and one point in their past four games.

Injuries: For the Wild, C Mikko Koivu (leg) and W Derek Boogaard (back) are on injured reserve. For Edmonton, D Matt Greene (leg), C Tyler Spurgeon (undisclosed) and LW Raffi Torres (knee) are on injured reserve. RW Alex Hemsky (knee) is day to day.

KENT YOUNGBLOOD

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