Preview: The Wild completes in a second of a back-to-back at MSG, where it is 1-4 all-time. In fact, the Wild is 4-7-1 all-time vs. the Rangers. The Rangers, coming off a 3-2 loss to Buffalo, conclude their three-game homestand in the first game of a back-to-back set.
Players to watch: Wild G Jose Theodore is 8-0-1 with a 2.34 goals-against average and .920 save percentage in nine career starts in Manhattan and is 12-3-2 in his past 17 starts vs. the Rangers with a 2.57 GAA and .913 save percentage. Rangers D Ryan McDonagh, the 2007 Minnesota Mr. Hockey, has assists in three of his past five games.
Injuries: Rangers RW Marian Gaborik (concussion), LW Derek Boogaard (shoulder, concussion), LW Alex Frolov (knee), C Chris Drury (knee) and G Martin Biron (collarbone) are out. Decisions on D Marc Staal (knee) and LW Ruslan Fedotenko (shoulder) will be made Thursday morning. Wild C Mikko Koivu (broken finger), D Cam Barker (upper body), RW Chuck Kobasew (ill) and LW Guillaume Latendresse (sports hernia, hip) are out.
MICHAEL RUSSO
