Gameday preview: Columbus at Wild

Preview: After winning consecutive games for the first time in two months, the Wild will try for its first three-game win streak since it won four in a row Nov. 13-20. It is 16-5-4 against Columbus at Xcel Energy Center. The Blue Jackets ended a four-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over Boston on Saturday with backup goaltender Curtis McElhinney in net.

Players to watch: Wild D Ryan Suter will return from a two-game suspension for elbowing Pittsburgh's Steve Downie. … Columbus C Ryan Johansen has earned a point in 13 consecutive games, the longest active point streak in the NHL. Johansen has 17 goals this season and leads the Blue Jackets with 43 points.

Numbers: The Wild continues to lead the NHL in fewest shots against (27.0 per game). … Columbus G Sergei Bobrovsky, chosen to play in the All-Star Game next week, has lost his past four starts. … The Jackets' power play is ranked second in the NHL (24.7 percent).

Injuries: Wild C Mikael Granlund (wrist), D Keith Ballard (concussion, facial fractures), G Darcy Kuemper (lower body) and D Justin Falk (upper body) are out. Columbus D Ryan Murray (knee), C Artem Anisimov (triceps), LW Brian Gibbons (knee), RW Nathan Horton (back), RW Jack Skille (lower body) and LW Boone Jenner (back) are out.

RACHEL BLOUNT