6:30 p.m. at Tampa Bay • Amalie Arena • FSN, 100.3-FM
Goals could be at a premium
Preview: This could be a low-scoring game against another desperate opponent. The Wild is 3-2 since its bye with four goals in its past three games (1-2), including an empty-netter. The Lightning is 1-1-1 in its past three games with one goal in regulation in its past two games. The Lightning is 11th in the Eastern Conference, four points back of a playoff spot. The Wild is 4-1-1 in its past six against Tampa Bay.
Players to watch: Lightning G Andrei Vasilevskiy is 3-0-1 with four 30-plus save performances since the Ben Bishop trade to Los Angeles. RW Nikita Kucherov is the reigning NHL No. 1 Star of the Week and has seven goals and seven assists the past seven games. Wild RW Mikael Granlund hit the 60-point mark Tuesday, giving him the 17th 60-point season in Wild history. RW Jason Pominville has 20 assists in his past 24 games. Pominville has 30 points in 36 games against Tampa Bay. C Eric Staal leads the Wild with 70 points (33 goals) in 68 games against the Lightning.
Numbers: The Wild's penalty kill is 22-for-22 the past 11 games. … The Wild is 28-3-2 when leading after two periods. … The Wild has won 42 games, six from matching the team record.
Injuries: Wild D Christian Folin (upper body) is out. D Matt Dumba (ill) didn't fly with the team, but the hope is he rejoins the team on Thursday. Lightning C Steven Stamkos (knee) and RW Ryan Callahan (lower body) are out.
Michael Russo
