wild gameday
9 P.M. at ANAHEIM • FSN, 100.3-FM
Preview: The Wild, dormant since spoiling Colorado's home opener last Saturday with a 3-0 victory, now looks to ruin another. The Ducks open their home schedule after a 3-1 road trip out east to open the season. The high-powered Ducks scored 17 goals in their four games (4.25 per game). The Wild hasn't allowed a goal yet, opening the season with consecutive shutouts over the Avalanche (outscoring Colorado 8-0).
Players to watch: Wild G Darcy Kuemper is the youngest goalie in NHL history at age 24 to open a season with consecutive shutouts (46 saves on 46 shots). His career-best shutout streak stands at 119 minutes, 44 seconds — 38 minutes exactly below Niklas Backstrom's team record. C Mikko Koivu, scoreless in the first two games, has 23 points in 30 career games against Anaheim. LW Zach Parise has 10 points in 12 games against Anaheim and 19 shots and two goals in the season's first two games. … Ducks RW Corey Perry and C Ryan Getzlaf each have 31 points against the Wild in 32 meetings. C Ryan Kesler has 29 points against the Wild in 50 games. G Frederik Andersen will start. He's 3-0 with a 1.95 goals-against average.
Numbers: The Wild has four shutouts in its past seven regular-season games dating to last year. … The Wild went 11-5-4 in its final 20 road games last season after starting 6-12-3. It is 1-0 on the road this season. … The Wild is 24-21-5 all-time vs. the Ducks, 11-14-1 in Anaheim. … Seven different skaters have goals for the Wild.
Injuries: Ducks LW Dany Heatley (groin), D Bryan Allen (lower body), LW Patrick Maroon (knee) and D Sheldon Souray (wrist) and RW Kyle Palmieri (ankle) are out.
MICHAEL RUSSO
