wild gameday 7 p.m. vs Nashville • Xcel Energy Center • FSN, 100.3-FM
Preview: The Wild, which has a '2-2-2 record in its past six games at Xcel Energy Center, faces a tough task against the Predators. In their first season under coach Peter Laviolette, Nashville has won 20 games, tying the franchise mark for fewest games needed to reach that milestone. Pekka Rinne (20 victories and league-best 1.76 goals-against average) leads the NHL's best defense.
Players to watch: Predators C Filip Forsberg leads NHL rookies in goals (12), assists (18), points (30) and plus-minus (plus-23). … Wild center Mikko Koivu has 31 points in 29 games against Nashville.
Injuries: Wild D Keith Ballard (concussion) is out; G Darcy Kuemper (stomach ailment), LW Matt Cooke (hip) and F Ryan Carter (shoulder) are probable. Nashville C Paul Gaustad (lower body) is out.
RACHEL BLOUNT
