7 p.m. vs. Pittsburgh • Xcel Energy Center • FSN, 100.3-FM
Wild-Pittsburgh game preview
November 4, 2014 at 5:51AM
Preview: Several streaks are on the line as the Wild wraps up a three-game homestand. The Wild is 5-0 at home and has won three games in a row; the Penguins are 2-0-1 on the road and have a four-game winning streak. The Penguins have the NHL's most productive offense (4.10 goals per game), while the Wild counters with the league's best defense (1.80 goals against per game).
Players to watch: Penguins G Marc-Andre Fleury was named the NHL's third star of the week Monday after going 3-0 with two shutouts, a goals-against average of 1.00 and save percentage of .959. But the Wild is the only NHL team he has not beaten; against Minnesota, he is 0-5 with a 3.76 GAA and .853 save percentage. Wild LW Zach Parise leads the team with 10 points and is its top scorer against the Penguins, with 15 goals and 22 assists for 37 points in 45 games.
Numbers: The Wild has outscored opponents 21-6 at home this season. … Fleury is on a career-long shutout streak of 154 minutes, 46 seconds. … The Penguins own the NHL's best power play (41.9 percent), and their penalty kill has not allowed a goal on its past 26 chances.
Injuries: Wild LW Matt Cooke (lower body), D Jared Spurgeon (shoulder) and D Keith Ballard (illness) are out; F Ryan Carter (upper body) is questionable. Penguins D Olli Maatta (thyroid surgery) is out.
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The Wild are off to one of the best starts in franchise history, and Kirill Kaprizov is tied for the NHL scoring lead.
