7 p.m. vs. Vancouver • FSN, 107.9-FM
Conference rival is final test before break
Preview: This the Wild's final game before beginning a mandatory five-day break. The team won't be back in action until Saturday, when it hosts the Lightning. As for the Canucks, they ended a five-game losing streak Friday with a 5-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. It was the team's first road victory since Nov.30.
Players to watch: Burnsville native Brock Boeser leads all NHL rookies in goals with 22, while his 40 points pace the Canucks. Former Wild winger Thomas Vanek has 13 points in his past 10 games. Winger Sven Baertschi has scored six of his nine goals on the power play.
Numbers: The Wild is 3-4 in the second game of a back-to-back. It fell 1-0 to the Canucks on Oct.24. Vancouver is 3-4-2 against the Central Division. The team is also 10-9-3 on the road.
Injuries: Wild F Nino Niederreiter (lower-body injury) is out. Canucks F Bo Horvat (foot fracture) is also out, while F Brandon Sutter (groin) could return after missing the past 21 games.
SARAH MCLELLAN
