Gameday: Wild vs. Vancouver

Last update: November 4, 2009 - 9:39 PM

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Preview: The Wild, 4-1 at home, resumes playing after winning its first road game in Pittsburgh on Saturday. The Wild has won two in a row for the first time but has lost six of its last seven to the Canucks. Vancouver, littered with injuries, opens a five-game road trip and has won three of four.

Players to watch: The Canucks have so many injuries, D Kevin Bieksa played shifts at right wing in Tuesday's victory over the Rangers. C Ryan Kesler is the NHL's highest-scoring U.S.-born player (16 points in 16 games). C Henrik Sedin's 32 assists and 51 games are the most by any Wild opponent. Wild C Eric Belanger has points in three consecutive games. RW Martin Havlat has no goals in nine games (Oct. 8). LW Andrew Brunette has 48 points in 55 games vs. the Canucks.

Numbers: The Canucks own the NHL's fifth-best power play (25.7 percent) but face the Wild's NHL-best penalty kill (88 percent). ... The Wild has the NHL's fifth-best home power play (29.2 percent); the Canucks are ranked 25th in road penalty kill (74.1 percent). ... Brunette is tied for first in the NHL with five power-play goals.

Injuries: Wild D Kim Johnsson (shoulder), who skated after practice Wednesday, and RW Pierre-Marc Bouchard (concussion) are out. Canucks G Roberto Luongo (rib) is doubtful; C Henrik Sedin (ankle) is questionable; C Pavol Demitra (shoulder), LW Daniel Sedin (foot), C Ryan Johnson (concussion), RW Michael Grabner (ankle), C Alex Bolduc (shoulder) and RW Jannik Hansen (hand) are out.

MICHAEL RUSSO

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