Wild's week ahead
December 24, 2016 at 11:31PM

Tuesday: at Nashville, 7 p.m.
Thur.: vs. N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m.
Saturday: vs. Columbus, 5 p.m.
All games on FSN
Player to watch: Zach Werenski, Columbus
It's not only forwards Patrik Laine and Auston Matthews wowing as rookies. The Blue Jackets teenager leads all rookie defensemen in scoring and is a bona fide Calder Trophy contender.
VOICES
"We have to keep winning if we want to catch Chicago."
Veteran Eric Staal showing the Wild's expectation is to win the Central Division, not finish seventh or eighth for a fifth consecutive season.
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Bailey Ober is a cornerstone of the Twins starting rotation and has gradually gotten better, moving past rare bad outings.