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Wild gameday

Last update: March 27, 2008 - 10:17 PM

Preview: The Wild, which ended a two-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over Edmonton on Wednesday, can clinch a playoff berth tonight with a victory coupled with a regulation loss by Nashville, which plays in Columbus. The Canucks are reeling, with three consecutive losses (the first came against the Wild). And Vancouver has lost center Brendan Morrison for the season after he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in a collision with Colorado's Ruslan Salei on Wednesday.

Players to watch: Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo flew to Coral Springs, Fla, where his wife, Gina, was expected to give birth to their first child Thursday. He is expected to be in Minnesota in time to play tonight. Luongo, though, has a career .896 save percentage vs. Minnesota, second worst among teams he has faced.

Numbers: Twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin have been hot the past five games. Daniel has three goals and four assists and Henrik has two goals and five assists. Wild G Niklas Bckstrom is 7-1-4 in his past 13 starts.

Injuries: For the Canucks, Morrison (knee) is out. D Lukas Krajicek (shoulder surgery) is on injured reserve. D Aaron Miller (shoulder), D Mattias Ohlund (knee surgery) and LW Mason Raymond (sprained MCL) are listed as day-to-day; none of the three played on Wednesday. For the Wild, D Kurtis Foster (broken femur), C Steve Kelly (ankle) and D/LW Petteri Nummelin (groin) are out.

KENT YOUNGBLOOD