1 p.m. vs. Arizona, Xcel Energy Center, FSN, 100.3-FM
Sunday's Wild-Arizona game preview
It's the second of three games in a row between these teams at the X.
March 14, 2021 at 3:56AM
Preview: The Wild and Coyotes meet for the second game of a three-game series that concludes Tuesday in St. Paul. The opener on Friday night morphed from a tight-checking, scoreless contest after two periods to the Kirill Kaprizov Show in the third, when the scintillating Wild rookie posted the first hat trick of his career in Minnesota's 4-0 victory. The teams split a series in Glendale, Ariz., last week, with the Wild winning the opener 5-1 and dropping the finale 5-2.
Players to watch: Wild F Mats Zuccarello had three assists Friday, giving him four goals and 13 assists in 17 games this season. G Cam Talbot (5-4-0-1, 2.60 goals-against average, .912 save percentage) had a 25-save shutout on Friday and will start Sunday. … Arizona D Alex Goligoski has 20 points (5-15-20) in 41 games against the Wild. RW Phil Kessel has 18 points (6-12-18) in 23 games vs. the Wild.
Numbers: The Wild is 15-1-1 when scoring three or more goals this season. Minnesota's power play went 0-for-4 Friday, dropping it to an NHL-worst 6-for-80 (7.5%). Minnesota's penalty kill has been successful on 74 of 87 attempts, good for fifth in the NHL at 85.1%. … Arizona won 36 of 55 faceoffs Friday, including eight of 11 while shorthanded.
Injuries: Wild F Marcus Johansson (upper body) is out. F Marcus Foligno (leg) is uncertain. … Arizona G Darcy Kuemper (lower body) is out.
Randy Johnson
about the writer
Ohio State linebackers coach James Laurinaitis and former Gophers safety Dom Barber remain good friends with the Notre Dame coach.
