Gameday preview: Wild at Buffalo

March 5, 2016 at 4:17AM

Preview: The Wild, which will be getting Jason Zucker back from a concussion for the first time since Feb. 21, returns to Buffalo for the first time since Jan. 15, 2015, Devan Dubnyk's debut as a Wild goalie. Dubnyk became the first goalie to earn a shutout in his Wild debut, and the 7-0 win was the largest margin of victory in Wild history. The Wild is 6-2 all-time at Buffalo and is 6-2-2 in its past 10 against the Sabres, outscoring them 35-21 in those games.

Players to watch: Wild D Ryan Suter is one assist from tying Marek Zidlicky's single-season defenseman team record of 37 set in 2009-10. RW Charlie Coyle leads the team with 21 goals and has 11 in the past 19 games. Dubnyk is 6-6 in his past 12 starts, allowing three or more goals in eight of them. LW Zach Parise has one goal in his past 16 games. He has 19 points in 29 games against the Sabres. Sabres C Jack Eichel is third among NHL rookies with 18 goals and 42 points. Former Wild LW Matt Moulson has five goals in 64 games. G Robin Lehner will start.

Numbers: The Wild has at least one power-play goal in 15 of the past 19 games overall and 13 power-play goals during a franchise-record streak of 11 straight road games with a power-play goal. … The Wild's penalty kill has been scored on in six of its past 11 chances.

Injuries: Sabres C Tyler Ennis (concussion), D Cody Franson (neck) and LW Ryan O'Reilly (broken foot) are out.

MICHAEL RUSSO

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