7 p.m. at Chicago • NBCSN (100.3-fM)
Preview: The Wild, 1-4-2 in its past seven games, heads to United Center, the arena where it hasn't won in three postseasons (0-8). It's usually tough in the first game after a long road trip, and the Blackhawks just returned from their annual "circus trip," going 3-1-2. The Wild is 4-7-1 in its past 12 regular-season games at Chicago. Overall, the Wild has beaten Chicago in three consecutive regular-season games, including a 5-4 home victory Oct. 30.
Players to watch: Blackhawks RW Patrick Kane is riding a career-long 19-game point streak (11 goals, 31 points). Kane's point streak is the longest by an American-born player in NHL history and is tied for the second longest in Blackhawks franchise history. It's the longest NHL point streak since Sidney Crosby had 50 points in 25 games in 2010. LW Artemi Panarin is tied for 15th in the NHL with 23 points. Wild LW Thomas Vanek has six goals and nine points in the past nine games. LW Zach Parise has no points in two games since returning from a sprained MCL.
Numbers: The Wild, 15-2-2 on the road during last year's second half, is 1-4-3 in its past eight road games, holding a lead for 1 minute, 12 seconds. … The Wild didn't hold one lead in last year's second-round sweep to the Blackhawks.
Injuries: Wild C Tyler Graovac (sports hernia) is out.
Notes: The Wild recalled D Christian Folin. RW Jordan Schroeder cleared waivers and was assigned to AHL Iowa.
Michael Russo
