WILD PREVIEW
2:30 p.m. Sunday vs. Nashville, Xcel Energy Center
TV; radio: TNT; 100.3 FM
Stats and analytics: Tap here.
Pregame reading: Wild reflect on season so far after trade deadline
For the fans: The Wild are hosting a Diversified Hockey Celebration that will recognize Blind Hockey, Deaf/Hard of Hearing Hockey, Special Hockey, Sled Hockey, and Warrior Hockey.
Sarah McLellan’s preview:
Opening bell: Not much has changed since the last time these Central Division foes faced off. The Wild (30-27-7) still have their work cut out for them to get closer to a Western Conference wild-card seed, although they did bank three out of a possible four points on their last road trip; they won at Arizona Thursday before losing a hard-fought game in overtime to Colorado the next night. Meanwhile, the Predators (37-25-3) have continued to roll since they routed the Wild 6-1 on Feb. 29. Nashville’s win streak ended at eight, but the Predators are on an 11-game point streak. That’s the third-longest run in franchise history.
Watch him: Predators D Roman Josi was a force in that blowout win for Nashville late last month. He had a goal and assisted on two others, bringing his season point total vs. the Wild to five. But Josi’s success predates their most recent matchups: in his career, the defenseman has 38 points in 43 games against the Wild.
Injuries: Wild LW Marcus Johansson (lower body), D Jake Middleton (upper body) and D Jared Spurgeon (hip/back).