Gameday: Wild at Toronto

Last update: November 9, 2009 - 10:48 PM

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Preview: The Wild got a much-needed home victory Saturday, edging Dallas to improve to 5-2 at Xcel Energy Center this season. Now the tough part: sustaining that momentum on the road, where the Wild is 1-8. The Wild tonight begins a four-game trip through the Eastern Conference against a suddenly confident Maple Leafs team. Toronto is 3-7-5 this season, but it has won two in a row.

Players to watch: Wild forward Martin Havlat has 14 career points in 21 games against Toronto. Goaltender Niklas Backstrom is one victory away from 100 in his career. He stopped 27 of 28 shots against Toronto last season in a 6-1 home victory. ... Former Gophers forward Phil Kessel has played in only three games for the Maple Leafs this year because of offseason shoulder surgery. He scored a goal and an assist in Toronto's 5-1 victory over Detroit on Saturday.

Numbers: The Wild is 0-4 all-time at Air Canada Centre. ... The Wild's and Toronto's combined victories (nine) are fewer than 10 NHL teams have alone. ... The Maple Leafs give up 3.60 goals per game, tied with Florida for last. ... The Wild averages only 2.19 goals per game, 28th in the league.

Injuries: Wild RW Petr Sykora (concussion) and RW Pierre-Marc Bouchard (concussion) are out. D Kim Johnsson (shoulder) is probable. ... Toronto D Mike Van Ryn (knee) is out for the season. D Mike Komisarek (lower body) is questionable.

Note: Tonight's game will not be televised locally but is available on the NHL Center Ice subscription package.

BRIAN STENSAAS

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