Gameday: Wild vs. San Jose

Last update: December 31, 2007 - 12:50 AM

Preview: The Wild is in position to exorcise the memory of some pretty one-sided losses in the coming days. But that's both good and bad. Look at the coming week: San Jose tonight (the team that beat the Wild 4-1 Dec. 11), followed by Dallas on Thursday (the team that beat the Wild 8-3 on Wednesday). And both Dallas and Detroit are road destinations next week. The Sharks are a tough way to start this stretch; they have won 10 consecutive road games.

Players to watch: San Jose goaltender Evgeni Nabokov stopped 19 of 21 shots in Nashville on Saturday to get his league-leading 21st victory. Steve Bernier (two goals) and Joe Pavelski (goal and an assist) each had two points against the Wild on Dec. 11.

Numbers: San Jose has won the past four games between the two teams, outscoring the Wild 12-3 in that span. The Sharks are 15-3-2 on the road this season, easily the best in the NHL. San Jose has the second-best penalty kill in the league at 87.0 percent. The Wild is 14th (82 percent).

Injuries: For the Wild, C Mikko Koivu (leg) and W Derek Boogaard (back) are on injured reserve. For San Jose, W Ryan Clowe (knee), D Brad Norton (back) and D Alexi Seminov (hand) are on injured reserve. D Douglas Murray (ankle) is day-to-day.

KENT YOUNGBLOOD

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