Wild at Tampa Bay preview

Last update: November 11, 2009 - 11:59 PM

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Preview: Don't look now, but the Wild, which opened a four-game trip by blowing out Toronto 5-2 on Tuesday, has won four of five, including its past two road games after starting the season 0-8 away from St. Paul. The Lightning, after a 2-1-1 road trip, plays for the first time since beating Montreal on Saturday. The Wild is 7-2-1 all time vs. the Lightning and 3-1-1 at Tampa.

Players to watch: C Vincent Lecavalier might have only two goals, but he's on pace for 66 assists. LW Alex Tanguay, who considered signing with Minnesota, has seven points in the past six games. G Antero Niittymaki has a .950 save percentage his past five starts and leads the league with a .940 save percentage in eight games. Former Wild LW Stephane Veilleux, playing with leading scorers Martin St. Louis (17 points) and Steven Stamkos (12 goals, 17 points), has no goals and two assists. Wild C Mikko Koivu has nine points in the past eight games. D Marek Zidlicky has two goals and five points the past three games.

Numbers: After going 12-5-1 against the Eastern Conference last season, the Wild is 4-0 this season. ... G Niklas Backstrom is 3-0 vs. Tampa Bay with a 1.30 goals-against average and .961 save percentage. ... The Wild has a league-leading 92.9 percent road penalty kill (three goals on 42 chances).

Injuries: Wild LW Petr Sykora (concussion) and C Pierre-Marc Bouchard (concussion) are out. Lightning D Victor Hedman (concussion) is probable, meaning former Wild D Kurtis Foster could be scratched, and D Paul Ranger (personal) is out.

MICHAEL RUSSO

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