Wild gameday
7 p.m. vs. N.Y. Rangers
Xcel Energy Center • FSN, 100.3-FM
Preview: The Rangers swept last season's two-game series and has won five of the past seven meetings. The Wild is 5-0-3 in its past eight games and has allowed seven goals in the past seven games, four in regulation. The Rangers, after a strong start to this season, are 3-6-2 in their past 11 but lead the NHL in road victories (59) and road points (125) since 2013-14. The Blueshirts are 15-4-1 on the road against the Western Conference since the start of last season.
Players to watch: LW Thomas Vanek and C Mikko Koivu are coming off four-point games, the third time in franchise history the Wild had two four-point scorers in the same game. LW Zach Parise and RW Jason Pominville each have five-game point streaks. C Mikael Granlund has 13 points in the past 16 games. Rangers G Henrik Lundqvist is 5-3 against the Wild with a 2.82 goals-against average and .887 save percentage, but he's 3-0 in his past three appearances. Former Minnesota Mr. Hockey, Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh, has seven assists in six games and a five-game point streak against the Wild. D Brady Skjei, a Lakeville native and former Gopher, will play his second NHL game.
Numbers: The Wild has been shorthanded an NHL-low 113 minutes, 27 seconds and has taken the third-fewest penalty minutes (217). The Wild hasn't allowed an opposing power play in two of the past four games.
Injuries: Rangers D Dan Girardi (knee) is out. C Derek Stepan (broken ribs) and D Kevin Klein (oblique) are doubtful.
Michael Russo
