wild gameday

7 p.m. vs. Florida • Xcel Center. • FSN, 100.3-FM

Preview: The Wild is 8-1-2 in its past 11 and 6-0-1 since the All-Star break. Florida is 3-0-1 in its past four and coming off a 6-2 home victory over Anaheim. The Panthers are 10-7-4 against the Western Conference but 1-4-2 against the Central Division. The Wild is 7-3-2 against the Atlantic Division.

Players to watch: Xcel has been a house of horrors for Florida G Roberto Luongo. In fact, the Canucks basically stopped playing him in St. Paul before trading him back to the Panthers. Luongo is 3-9-2 all-time here with a 3.42 goals-against average and .879 save percentage. Blaine native Nick Bjugstad leads Florida with 18 goals and 33 points, including two goals in the past three games. Bjugstad's family purchased 160 tickets for Thursday's game. Wild RW Jason Pominville has two goals in two games after none in the previous 12. C/RW Charlie Coyle has four goals in the past 13 games.

Numbers: During the Wild's 8-1-2 streak, the Wild has scored first in all eight victories and is 0-1-2 when its opponent scored first. … The Wild is 17-for-17 on the penalty kill in seven games since the All-Star break. Florida has eight power-play goals in its past eight games after scoring 17 in the first 44.

Injuries: Wild LW Jason Zucker (collarbone), LW Ryan Carter (upper body), LW Matt Cooke (sports hernia) and D Keith Ballard (concussion) are out. Panthers D Willie Mitchell (upper body) and C Brandon Pirri (shoulder) are doubtful.

MICHAEL RUSSO