Wild gameday

Last update: November 7, 2008 - 11:06 PM

Preview: The Wild finishes a four-game road trip at arguably its most bitter rival. The Wild has won two of three on the trip. It was 5-2-1 last season against the Canucks and 3-1 in Vancouver ... The Canucks have won three of four, and Roberto Luongo is coming off back-to-back shutouts and 141 minutes of goose eggs.

Players to watch: Pay attention all night to Wild RW Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Canucks LW Alex Burrows. From the same area of Montreal, they absolutely hate each other. They've had two years of run-ins and even fought last season after Burrows speared Bouchard in the stomach. Two weeks ago on Hockey Night in Canada's After Hours, Burrows said he hated playing against Bouchard more than any other player. ... LW Andrew Brunette has 46 points in 48 career games vs. Vancouver. Vancouver's Sedin twins -- Daniel and Henrik -- have combined for 55 career points vs. the Wild.

Numbers: Wild G Niklas Backstrom is 5-0-1 all-time vs. the Canucks with a 2.02 goals against average and .931 save percentage; Luongo is 2-4-1 all-time vs. the Wild with a 2.87 goals-against average and .886 save percentage.

Injuries: Wild D Brent Burns ("upper body"), LW Owen Nolan ("lower body"), RW Marian Gaborik ("lower body") and D Kurtis Foster (broken leg) are out. Canucks LW/C Pavol Demitra (ribs) is out.

MICHAEL RUSSO

Recent Minnesota Wild stories

Wild gameday - November 7, 2008

Wild gameday - Preview: The Wild has had great success against Phoenix at home, beating the Coyotes in seven consecutive games at Xcel Energy Center. More