Gameday preview: Chicago at Wild
January 8, 2015 at 6:38AM
7 p.m. vs. Chicago • Xcel Energy Center • FSN, 100.3-FM
Preview: The Blackhawks, who have eliminated the Wild in the past two playoffs, make their first return to St. Paul since May. In Game 6 in overtime, Patrick Kane found a puck that hit a stanchion to score the winner. The Wild lost in Chicago 5-3 on Dec. 16.
Players to watch: Wild LW Jason Zucker leads with 13 even-strength goals, is tied for the team lead with 14 goals and is coming off a two-goal, three-point, eight-shot night against San Jose. G Niklas Backstrom is 6-10-1 all-time vs. the Blackhawks. Blackhawks F Marian Hossa has 23 points in 28 games vs. the Wild.
Injuries: Wild LW Zach Parise (personal), C Mikko Koivu (lower body), G Darcy Kuemper (undisclosed) and D Nate Prosser (illness) are questionable. D Marco Scandella (upper body), C Mikael Granlund (wrist surgery) and D Keith Ballard (facial fractures, concussion) are out. Blackhawks LW Kris Versteeg (hand) is questionable.
MICHAEL RUSSO
about the writer
Helped by that role reversal, Minnesota defeated defending NHL champ Florida and is testing the limits of history after playing 360 minutes this season without trailing.
