Wild gameday

Last update: January 14, 2009 - 10:42 PM

Preview: One game after beating Phoenix for a seventh consecutive time at home, the Wild plays host to Edmonton, which it has also beaten seven consecutive times at home since Jan. 16, 2007. In fact, the Wild is 17-5-1 against the Oilers in the past 23 overall meetings, outscoring them 75-46. This is the first of six meetings with the Oilers.

Players to watch: D Nick Schultz will skate in his 491st game, tying him with Marian Gaborik for most in Wild history. RW Owen Nolan, who has scored nine goals in the past 14 games, has 21 career goals against the Oilers -- his second most against any opponent. Oilers D Sheldon Souray is second in the NHL among blue-liners with 12 goals. C Shawn Horcoff has 18 points in 36 games vs. the Wild.

Numbers: G Niklas Backstrom is 9-0 all-time vs. the Oilers with a 1.64 goals-against average, .934 save percentage and three shutouts, but he has been pulled in two games. ... Backstrom leads the NHL with a .933 save percentage vs. power plays.

Injuries: Wild LW Stephane Veilleux (sore leg) didn't practice Wednesday but is listed as probable. Oilers RW Ales Hemsky (concussion), C Robert Nilsson (concussion), RW Zach Stortini (knee) and RW Fernando Pisani (ankle) are out.

MICHAEL RUSSO

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