Gameday preview: Toronto at Wild
December 3, 2015 at 3:16AM
7 p.m. vs. Toronto • Xcel Energy Center • FSN, 100.3-FM
Preview: After Tuesday's 2-1 victory in Chicago, the Wild is focusing on how to maintain that upward momentum. Coach Mike Yeo expects a tight-checking game against Toronto — which has lost three in a row to the Wild — and wants his team to be assertive while maintaining sound defensive structure. The Maple Leafs, who were blown out 6-1 by Winnipeg on Wednesday, are on a three-game road trip against Central Division foes. Top goalie James Reimer, who has been sidelined by a lower-body injury, is expected to return to the lineup against the Wild; Reimer is third in the NHL in save percentage (. 934) and seventh in goals-against average (2.07).
Players to watch: Wild F Thomas Vanek has six goals and three assists in his past 10 games; against Toronto, he has 23 goals and 28 assists in 52 games. Maple Leafs F James van Riemsdyk leads the team with 16 points, and F Leo Komarov has a team-high 10 goals.
Numbers: The Wild is 10-2-1 when scoring first this season and is 7-0-1 when leading after the first period. Toronto is 4-1 against Central Division opponents.
Injuries: Wild C Tyler Graovac (core muscle surgery) is out. Toronto F Joffrey Lupul (lower-body injury) and D Stephane Robidas (knee) are out.
Rachel Blount
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After letting 135-footer bounce in early, Fleury steadied himself in 5-3 victory.
