Wild gameday

Last update: January 23, 2008 - 8:01 PM

Preview: The Wild, 1-1 on its three-game road trip, plays its final game before the All-Star break. At the Pepsi Center, the Wild is 0-12 when scoring two goals or fewer and 4-3-2 when scoring three or more. The injury-riddled Avalanche is coming off a 4-0 shutout loss to Nashville but is 4-1-1 in its past six.

Players to watch: C Mikko Koivu has a point in four of the six games he has played since missing 24 because of a broken leg. C Pavol Demitra has 397 career assists and 672 career points, both ninth all-time among Slovakia-born players. Demitra has 38 points in 36 games vs. the Avalanche. RW Marian Gaborik has 28 points in 34 games vs. the Avs. Colorado RW Milan Hejduk has 32 points in 39 games vs. the Wild.

Numbers: In Koivu's past four games, he has raised his faceoff winning percentage from .495 to .525 by winning 45 of 66 draws (.681). ... In the past 11 games, the Wild's power play is 4-for-36 (11.1 percent).

Injuries: Avalanche C Joe Sakic (sports hernia), LW Ryan Smyth (ankle), C Paul Stastny (appendectomy) and D Kurt Sauer (neck) are out. Wild F Mark Parrish (foot) is questionable and D Sean Hill (sprained ankle) is out.

MICHAEL RUSSO

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