Wild-San Jose game preview
March 29, 2021 at 2:29AM
San Jose is first of four on the road
Preview: After a three-day break, the Wild (21-10-1) is back in action at San Jose – the start of a four-game road trip. The team has won three in a row and eight of its past 10 games. During its current winning streak, the Wild has given up only three goals. Before departing for San Jose, the team called up F Luke Johnson to the taxi squad from Iowa in the American Hockey League.
Players to watch: Wild LW Kirill Kaprizov has eight points in his past nine games, including five goals. In 17 career games vs. the Sharks, RW Mats Zuccarello has 16 points. … Sharks G Martin Jones is 3-1-1 over his past five starts. D Brent Burns is averaging 26 minutes, 30 seconds of ice time.
Numbers: The Wild has won six of its past nine games at San Jose. Goalies Cam Talbot and Kaapo Kahkonen lead the NHL in save percentage (.919). … San Jose (13-16-4) is coming off back-to-back losses, getting outscored 9-2 in those games by Arizona. F Patrick Marleau's next game will be his 1,757th — the second-most played in NHL history; Marleau is 11 games shy of Gordie Howe's record.
Injuries: Wild Fs Marcus Foligno (lower body) and Zach Parise (COVID list) are out. Sharks F Matt Nieto (lower body) is also out.
SARAH McLELLAN
about the writer
The 22-year-old did not make his NHL debut at San Jose, but the 2022 third-round pick has consistently produced when he’s played at Iowa.
