wild gameday
7 P.M. VS. calgary • xcel FSN+, 100.3-FM
Preview: The Wild opens a five-game homestand, its longest of the season, with the first of a back-to-back set of games against Pacific Division opponents. It is 2-0 against Calgary this season, earning a pair of one-goal victories on the road. The Flames are 7-2-3 in their past 12 games despite losing captain Mark Giordano to a season-ending biceps injury last month. The Wild, which continues the homestand Saturday against Los Angeles, is 4-4 in its past eight games at Xcel Energy Center.
Players to watch: Wild LW Zach Parise has nine goals and five assists in 14 career games against the Flames, and he has 11 points in his past 11 games. … Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau is second on the team with 58 points and has taken over the lead in the NHL rookie scoring race. … Calgary's leading scorer, C Jiri Hudler, is ranked 14th in the NHL in scoring with 66 points.
Numbers: The Wild is 4-1 in its past five games against Calgary at Xcel. … Giordano leaves a gaping hole in the Flames' lineup. He averaged a team-high 25:10 of ice time per game and had scored 48 points, sixth most among NHL defensemen.
Injuries: Wild C Kyle Brodziak (upper body), D Nate Prosser (knee), LW Jason Zucker (broken collarbone), LW Matt Cooke (sports hernia) and D Keith Ballard (concussion) are out. Flames D Mark Giordano (torn biceps), D Ladislav Smid (neck) and C Paul Byron (undisclosed) are out.
RACHEL BLOUNT
