Wild gameday
7 p.m. vs. Winnipeg • FSN, 100.3-FM
Preview: The Wild is 0-2-1 in its past three home games and 2-4-1 in its past seven at home. Perhaps the prospect of back-to-back games against division opponents — the Wolves play in Nashville on Saturday — is just what the team needs. The Wild will face a Jets team that is playing on the back end of back-to-back games.
Players to watch: Wild LW Thomas Vanek (two goals, one assist) is the Wild's leading point-getter vs. Winnipeg this season. C Mikko Koivu, LW Jason Zucker, C Mikael Granlund and D Jared Spurgeon have two points vs. the Jets. G Devin Dubnyk is 1-2-0 vs. Winnipeg with a 2.69 goals-against average. Jets RW Blake Wheeler (11 goals, 30 assists) leads the Jets in points with 31; C Bryan Little and RW Drew Stafford are tied for the lead in goals with 14.
Numbers: Wild RW Jason Pominville has no points in 10 games. The Wild has earned points in 10 of its past 14 games with the Jets. This game starts a six-game stretch against Western Conference foes before the All-Star break.
Injuries: Wild defenseman Nate Prosser (hand) is expected to return. C Ryan Carter (hands) is out. Jets D Grant Clitsome (back), G Ondrej Pavelec (knee) and C Mark Scheifele (lower body) are on injured reserve.
Kent Youngblood