Wild-Philadelphia preview
March 23, 2017 at 2:11AM
Win would clinch playoff berth
Preview: The Wild, 3-8 in March, ended a five-game losing streak with a 3-2 win over San Jose on Tuesday. Its magic number is two, meaning it can clinch its fifth consecutive playoff berth with a win, regulation loss by the Kings or overtime/shootout losses by itself and the Kings. The Flyers have had a disappointing season and are 2-5 in their past seven. Since 2003-04, the Flyers' .767 points percentage against Minnesota is second best in the NHL.
Players to watch: Wild D Matt Dumba has three goals in the past five games. RW Mikael Granlund's 66 points are tied for seventh most in a Wild season. RW Jason Pominville has 28 points in 31 games since Jan. 7. C Eric Staal and LW Zach Parise each have 38 points in their careers against Philadelphia. … C Valtteri Filppula leads the Flyers with 18 points in 33 games vs. the Wild. C Jakub Voracek has 16 points in18 meetings.
Numbers: The Wild has scored a franchise-record 232 goals. … The Flyers have earned the most power-play opportunities this season (250) and the Wild has drawn the fourth-fewest (202).
Injuries: Wild D Christian Folin (upper body) is out but expected to return sometime this weekend. RW Ryan White (flu) is doubtful. Flyers LW Michael Raffl (lower body) is out and C Nick Cousins (upper body) is questionable.
Michael Russo
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Minnesota hadn’t even lost two straight until this homestand, when it went 1-4. Next up in a tough stretch is league-leading Winnipeg on Saturday.
