Wild-Buffalo game preview

Preview: Including the Sabres on the road five days ago, the Wild has shut out its past three opponents for the first time in franchise history (13-0 goal advantage). It's carrying a franchise-record 181-minute, 43-second shutout streak. The Wild is 8-2-2 in its past 12 games against the Sabres, outscoring them 41-23.

Players to watch: Wild D Ryan Suter is tied for first among NHL defensemen with 10 points. D Christian Folin and LW Jason Zucker are tied for second in the NHL's plus-minus ratings at plus-9. C Eric Staal is tied for 22nd in the NHL with four goals. Staal leads the Wild with 43 points in 44 games against Buffalo. Former Sabres captain Jason Pominville has six points in seven games against his former team. Sabres C Ryan O'Reilly has 13 points in 31 games against the Wild. Former Gopher Kyle Okposo has eight points in 13 games against Minnesota.

Numbers: The Wild leads the NHL with 18 players who have scored at least one goal. Of the 23 skaters on the roster this season, 22 have at least one point. … The Wild has the NHL's best penalty kill (25-for-26, 96.2 percent). … The Wild averages 25.9 shots per game, 29th in the NHL.

Injuries: Wild RW Chris Stewart (illness) is questionable; LW Zach Parise (foot), D Marco Scandella (ankle), C Erik Haula (foot) and C Zac Dalpe (knee) are out. Sabres C Jack Eichel (ankle), LW Evander Kane (ribs), LW Nicolas Deslauriers (knee) and RW Hudson Fasching (groin) are out.

Michael Russo