wild gameday
7 P.M. VS. Anaheim • Xcel Energy Center • FSN, 100.3-FM
Preview: The Wild is coming off its first home-opener loss ever, having been defeated Thursday in a shootout by Los Angeles. The Ducks, one of the surprise teams in the West last year, should be surly, having lost their first game 6-1 at Colorado on Wednesday.
Players to watch: Wild C Mikko Koivu is two points short of 400 for his career and is one goal from passing Andrew Brunette for first in Wild history. RW Mikael Granlund assisted on both Minnesota goals Thursday for the first multiple-point game of his career. RW Dany Heatley has scored 10 goals and 22 points in 26 games vs. Anaheim. Ducks RW Corey Perry and C Ryan Getzlaf each has 28 points in 29 games vs. the Wild.
Numbers: The Wild is 23-20-4 all-time vs. the Ducks, 13-7-3 at home. … At home, Minnesota has lost three consecutive one-goal games to Anaheim after beating the Ducks the previous five times.
Injuries: Wild LW Mike Rupp (knee) is out. Ducks RW Teemu Selanne, 43, is getting the game off. Coach Bruce Boudreau says Selanne will split some back-to-backs this season and the Ducks play in Winnipeg, where he used to play, Sunday.
MICHAEL RUSSO
