Wild-Calgary game preview

Home for three after road trip

Preview: The Wild returns home for a three-game homestand after going 2-1 on a three-game road trip through California. Since Nov. 14, the Wild is 5-0-1 on home ice — its longest point streak at Xcel Energy Center since going 8-0 Nov. 23-Dec. 29, 2016. The Flames have been up and down lately, with a 2-2-1 record in their past five games. They're coming off back-to-back wins, the first time they've won two in a row since Nov. 18-20.

Players to watch: Winger Johnny Gaudreau leads the Flames in points with 37. Center Sam Bennett has eight points in his past seven games. Goalie Mike Smith is 13-9-2 with 2.68 goals-against average and .918 save percentage.

Numbers: Defenseman Ryan Suter had three points in a 4-2 win over the Flames Oct. 21. The Wild has banked at least a point in 14 of its past 19 meetings with the Flames. Calgary is 8-4-2 on the road. The team has yet to lose when leading after two periods, going 9-0.

Injuries: Wild F Zach Parise (back surgery) and D Jared Spurgeon (groin strain) are out. Flames F Jaromir Jagr (lower body) has missed the past three games, while F Kris Versteeg (lower body) hasn't played since Nov. 24.

Sarah McLellan