7 p.m. vs. Chicago • Xcel Energy Center • NBCSN, 100.3-FM

Preview: The Wild wrapped a four-game road trip Tuesday at Winnipeg and won't hit the road again until Feb. 28. Its next eight games are at home, including seven in a row before its first-ever five-day "bye." The Wild, which went 5-0 against the Blackhawks last season, has beaten Chicago eight consecutive regular-season games, tied for the fifth-longest active streak in the NHL for a team vs. a single opponent. That's one win short of tying the team record, done twice vs. Arizona and Chicago.

Players to watch: Wild G Darcy Kuemper, who has beaten Chicago in his only previous regular-season start, will get the nod after Devan Dubnyk started Tuesday. Kuemper tied a career high with 41 saves in a win at Edmonton on Jan. 31. D Ryan Suter leads the Wild with 33 points in 63 games against Chicago, his highest point total against any team. Blackhawks RW Patrick Kane, who led the NHL in scoring last season, is eighth in the NHL with 52 points. He has 15 goals and 32 points in 37 games vs. Minnesota.

Numbers: The Wild has scored first 34 times, ranking third in the NHL. The Blackhawks have scored first 31 times, tied for fifth most.

Injuries: Wild D Jonas Brodin (broken finger) is out. Blackhawks D Michal Rozsival (lower body) is out.

Michael Russo