Wild-Jets Game 5 preview
April 20, 2018 at 2:21AM
Wild facing ouster with loss
Preview: The Wild will attempt to ward off elimination in Game 5 after falling behind 3-1 in the series to the Jets. In its first trip to the playoffs in 2003, the Wild became the first team in NHL history to come back from a 3-1 deficit twice in the same postseason. As for the Jets, they're seeking their first series victory in franchise history. They'll be without defenseman Josh Morrissey as he serves a one-game suspension for cross-checking center Eric Staal.
Players to watch: Both of winger Patrik Laine's goals in the series have come in Winnipeg. The Jets recalled defenseman Sami Niku from the American Hockey League on Thursday, and he could draw into the lineup Friday with Morrissey out. Defenseman Dustin Byfuglien is averaging a team-high 25 minutes, 8 seconds of ice time.
Numbers: The Wild is 11-8 when facing elimination. It's 4-6 all-time in Game 5. Since the calendar flipped to 2018, the Jets have lost only five times on home ice. Laine's 14 shots lead all forwards in the series.
Injuries: Wild D Ryan Suter (right ankle fracture) and Fs Zach Parise (fractured sternum) and Luke Kunin (torn ACL) are out. Jets Ds Dmitry Kulikov (upper body) and Toby Enstrom (lower body) and F Matt Hendricks (lower body) have yet to play in the series. F Mathieu Perreault (upper body) hasn't played since Game 1 and D Tyler Myers (lower body) since Game 3.
SARAH MCLELLAN
about the writer
After letting 135-footer bounce in early, Fleury steadied himself in 5-3 victory.
