Gameday: Wild at Vancouver

Last update: January 20, 2008 - 9:11 PM

Preview: The Wild, 0-1-1 in its past two, begins a three-game divisional road trip in Vancouver, where it was pounded 6-2 on Nov. 16 and lost C Mikko Koivu for the next 24 games because of a broken leg. D Mattias Ohlund, the guilty party in the Koivu clubbing, plays against Koivu for the first time since the incident. "This is a big road trip for us. That's all I'm focusing on," Koivu said. The Canucks have lost five of six and have one regulation victory in their past nine games.

Players to watch: LW Derek Boogaard is playing his first game in Vancouver since his infamous "Pinky and the Brain Twin" quotes, a warning toward Canucks F's Markus Naslund and Daniel and Henrik Sedin after the Koivu incident. LW Brian Rolston has gone nine games without a goal, not scoring in 2008. RW Marian Gaborik has a six-game point streak (11 points). C Pavol Demitra has 17 goals and 45 points in 37 games vs. the Canucks. Naslund has 30 points in 37 games vs. the Wild.

Numbers: The Canucks are 10-3-3 against Northwest Division opponents. ... The Wild has given up the first goal in 11 of its past 15 games.

Injuries: Canucks D Willie Mitchell (back) is questionable and D Kevin Bieksa (calf) and C Brendan Morrison (wrist) are out. Wild D Sean Hill (sprained ankle) is out.

MICHAEL RUSSO

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