wild gameday
7 p.m. vs. Pittsburgh • Xcel Energy Center • FSN, 100.3-FM
Preview: After playing eight of its past 10 games on the road, the Wild returns home to face the Penguins, who have won three of their past four games and clinched the Metropolitan Division title. The Wild has rallied in the third period to earn points in its past three games; over its past nine, it has outscored its opponents 16-7 in the third period. But it has lost five of its past six (1-3-2) at home.
Players to watch: Wild G Ilya Bryzgalov, expected to make his fourth consecutive start, is 4-0-3 with a goals-against average of 1.93 and save percentage of .919 in seven starts since he was acquired on March 4. He is 5-2-2 in 11 starts against Pittsburgh. … Pittsburgh D Paul Martin scored the winning goal Thursday against Winnipeg in his return to the lineup after missing 18 games because of a broken hand. Martin has two game-winners this season, matching his career high.
Numbers: Wild F Zach Parise needs one point to reach 500 for his career. He leads the Wild in scoring against the Penguins, with 15 goals and 20 assists. … Pittsburgh F Sidney Crosby has a six-game point streak (two goals, six assists).
Injuries: Wild C Mikael Granlund (upper body), G Darcy Kuemper (lower body) and D Clayton Stoner (sprained knee) are out. F Nino Niederreiter (upper body) is questionable and D Keith Ballard (groin) might return. Penguins G Tomas Vokoun (blood clot in hip), F Pascal Dupuis (knee surgery), F Chris Conner (hand surgery), D Kris Letang (stroke), F Evgeni Malkin (sprained foot) and F Marcel Goc (lower body) are out; F Joe Vitale (upper body) is doubtful.
RACHEL BLOUNT
