Preview: The Wild had its two-game winning streak end Friday in Dallas and is 2-6-2 in its past 10 games. The Sharks lost to Nashville on Saturday and dropped to second place behind Phoenix in the Pacific Division. This is the start of a two-game homestand, which is important for the Wild considering four of the first five games in March are on the road.
Players to watch: The trio of players acquired in the trade with New Jersey should suit up. That means defenseman Kurtis Foster and LW Stephane Veilleux could make their official return to the team they started with. Both last played for the Wild during the 2008-09 season. Expected to make his Wild debut is RW Nick Palmieri. ... Wild G Niklas Backstrom is 4-10-3 all-time vs. San Jose; Josh Harding is 1-1. ... Sharks G Antti Niemi is 4-1-1 with one shutout in six starts vs. the Wild. LW Patrick Marleau has four points vs. the Wild this season and 29 points in 43 career games.
Numbers: The Wild leads the season series 2-1. San Jose won Nov. 10, but the Wild has won the last two, the second in a shootout.
Injuries: For the Wild, C Mikko Koivu (undisclosed), D Mike Lundin (lower body), Carson McMillan (lower body), D Clayton Stoner (lower body), RW Pierre-Marc Bouchard (concussion), RW Jarod Palmer (concussion) and LW Guillaume Latendresse (concussion) are out. Harding, who missed the two-game road trip because of illness, is available. San Jose D Douglas Murray (throat) was listed as out for San Jose's game with Nashville Saturday. RW Martin Havlat (hamstring) was doubtful and C Dominic Moore (undisclosed) was questionable.
