7 p.m. vs. Calgary • Xcel Energy Center • FSN, 100.3-FM

Big back-to-back tests follow big loss

Preview: The Wild (22-17-3) has some ground to make up this week before its turn at the bye week. A five-goal margin loss this past Saturday leads into two back-to-backs this week, starting Tuesday against the Calgary Flames (21-16-4). Calgary and Chicago are both within a point of the Wild, who is stuck alongside Anaheim and Colorado at 47 points vying for a wild-card spot.

Quotable: "It's huge. I think everybody is well aware. We knew what the last game took out of us, and now the response time with two huge games back to back. The overall picture before our break, we have to realize that this is an important time. We have to take advantage when we're at home, and we have an opportunity starting tomorrow." – Wild center Eric Staal.

Players to watch: Calgary F Johnny Gaudreau is among the top scorers in the league with 13 goals and 33 assists in 41 games this season. F Sean Monahan is also tied for first in the league with seven game-winning goals. D Mark Giordano leads the Flames with 17 points in 41 games against the Wild.

Numbers: This is the Wild's seventh of 15 back-to-back games this season as the team travels to Chicago on Wednesday. The squad is 2-4-0 so far on both the first and second nights of such stands.

Injuries: Wild F Mikko Koivu (flu) is questionable. Calgary F Kris Versteeg (hip), F Michael Frolik (face) and F Jaromir Jagr (groin) are out.

Megan Ryan