Wild-Maple Leafs gameday preview

Wild hope to stay hot at home

Preview: The Wild has grabbed at least a point in 12 of its past 16 games and has won four in a row on home ice. It's 6-0-1 overall in its past seven home games, a stretch in which the team has gone 20-for-21 on the penalty kill. This is the second stop on a three-game road trip for the Maple Leafs, who fell 4-2 to the Flyers on Tuesday to end a three-game winning streak. It was only the team's third regulation loss since early November, as Toronto is 12-3-1 in its past 16.

Players to watch: Winger James van Riemsdyk leads Toronto in goals with 15. Center Patrick Marleau has 11 goals and 18 points after signing with the Leafs in the offseason. Goalie Frederik Andersen is 17-9-1 with a .922 save percentage and 2.69 goals-against average.

Numbers: Each of the Wild's past five wins has gone beyond regulation. The team is 7-1 in its past eight games against the Maple Leafs. Toronto is 10-6-1 away from home. Marleau registered his 1,100th point Tuesday.

Injuries: Wild F Zach Parise (back surgery) is out. D Jared Spurgeon (groin strain) practiced Wednesday, but it's unclear when he'll be ready to return. G Devan Dubnyk (lower body) isn't expected to be available Thursday. Maple Leafs Fs Auston Matthews (upper body) and Nikita Soshnikov (lower body) are out.

SARAH McLELLAN