Preview: As part of its franchise-record 10-game winning streak, the Wild has won five games in a row on the road (including a victory in Nashville). The Wild, 12-1-3 in its past 16 games, is 10-0-1 in December, which also is a franchise-record point streak. The Wild has given up a league-low 1.94 goals per game, has scored the fourth-most at 3.06 goals per game and has the league's second-best goal differential at plus-36. The Wild is 6-3-2 in its past 11 games in Nashville. Twelve of the past 22 contests between the two teams have been decided by one goal (the Wild is 11-8-3).
Players to watch: G Devan Dubnyk, who leads the NHL with a 1.57 goals-against average and .948 save percentage, is riding a career-best 10-0-2 point-gaining streak since Nov. 19 and has not allowed more than three goals in a game this season. Leading scorer Eric Staal (tied for 27th in the NHL with 28 points) has five goals and five assists during a seven-game point streak. Leading goal-scorer Charlie Coyle (12) has nine points in the past six games. C Mikko Koivu leads the Wild with 37 points in 39 career games vs. Nashville. Predators G Pekka Rinne is 13-8-3 all-time vs. the Wild with a 2.35 GAA and .912 save percentage. RW James Neal is tied for 12th with 14 goals in 29 games this season.
Numbers: During the winning streak, the Wild has outscored its opponents 37-16 and has given up two power-play goals on 31 chances (93.5 percent).
Injuries: Wild C Erik Haula (lower body) and LW Zach Parise (illness) are questionable. Predators D P.K. Subban (upper body) is questionable.
Michael Russo
