6 p.m. vs. Winnipeg • Xcel Energy Center • FSN, 100.3-FM
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Preview: The Wild returns home for a rare weekend back-to-back starting Saturday against the Jets. Since mid-November, the Wild has lost only once in regulation at home – going 11-1-2. The Jets have won all three meetings between these teams this season. Winnipeg, which lost 2-1 Friday in Chicago, is 2-1-1 in Game 2 of a back-to-back.
Players to watch: Captain Blake Wheeler saw a seven-game point streak end in Friday's loss, but he leads the Jets in points with 52. Winger Patrik Laine has a team-high 20 goals, one more than Nikolaj Ehlers.
Numbers: The Wild power play has scored just twice in its past 19 opportunities. After a three-point effort in Wednesday's win over Chicago, the blue line reached 100 points. The Jets were 7-3-2 against the Central Division before facing the Blackhawks. Entering that game, Winnipeg had gone 6-0-1 in its previous seven games.
Injuries: Wild F Nino Niederreiter (lower-body injury) is out. Defenseman Mike Reilly took a puck to the mouth during practice Friday, requiring stitches. Jets Fs Mark Scheifele (upper body), Brandon Tanev (lower body) and Adam Lowry (upper body) are also out.
Sarah McLellan
