Wild GameDay
6 P.M. at TORONTO • AIR CANADA CENTRE • FSN, 100.3-FM
Preview: The Wild plays for the second time in as many nights and in an arena in which it rarely fares well. The Wild is 1-5 all-time in Toronto and 3-7 all-time against the Maple Leafs. Toronto is off to a terrific start, leading the Eastern Conference with a 5-1 record, and has been off since beating Edmonton in overtime Saturday.
Players to watch: G Darcy Kuemper, who didn't give up a goal in 47 preseason minutes, might make his fourth NHL start. He is 1-2 in six regular-season games with a 2.08 goals-against average and .916 save percentage. RW Jason Pominville's 18 goals and 48 points in 50 games are his highest totals against any team. LW Dany Heatley has 27 goals and 51 points in 40 games against Toronto. Maple Leafs RW Joffrey Lupul is tied for second in the NHL with eight points (five goals) in six games. Minnesota resident James van Riemsdyk has five goals and former Gopher Phil Kessel has six points.
Numbers: The Maple Leafs rank fourth in the NHL, averaging 3.67 goals a game. They're allowing 34.2 shots per game, tied for fifth most in the NHL. … The Toronto power play was clicking at 29.2 percent, ranked sixth in the NHL — or one spot behind the Wild — before Monday's games. Toronto's penalty kill ranked second at 90.9 percent.
Injuries: Wild C Charlie Coyle (knee) and LW Mike Rupp (knee) are out. G Niklas Backstrom (knee) is questionable. Maple Leafs RW David Clarkson is suspended.
