wild gameday

7 p.m. vs. Arizona • Xcel Center • FSN, 100.3-FM

Preview: After starting the season with back-to-back shutout victories over Colorado, the Wild lost consecutive 2-1 decisions at Anaheim and Los Angeles. The Wild outshot the Kings 41-16, but Jonathan Quick stole a victory and the Wild failed to tie the score five times on the power play. The Wild's power play is 0-for-16. The Coyotes have lost three of five games to open the season and have allowed 13 goals in the past three games.

Players to watch: Mikko Koivu, the all-time leading scorer for the Wild, has no points in four games. LW Thomas Vanek has no goals and one assist in four games. In an attempt to ignite Koivu and Vanek, coach Mike Yeo will go with RW Charlie Coyle on the line Thursday. The Wild's third defensive pairing will be former Coyote Keith Ballard and rookie Christian Folin. G Darcy Kuemper, who has allowed two goals in three starts, gets the nod. Coyotes LW Mikkel Boedker is tied for second in the NHL with five goals. G Mike Smith will start. He has given up 16 goals in three games.

Numbers: The Wild's penalty kill is tied for third in the NHL (.923); Arizona's power play is tied for second (30 percent). … LW Zach Parise is fifth in the NHL with 27 shots.

Injuries: Coyotes C Martin Hanzal (knee) is out.

Michael Russo