Wild-Winnipeg game preview
November 10, 2015 at 6:07AM
Preview: The Wild, which has points in six of its past eight games (5-2-1), hosts the rival Jets for the first time this season. Eleven of the Wild's games have been decided by one goal (7-2-2), and the Wild's first regulation one-goal loss was at Winnipeg on Oct. 25 by a 5-4 score. The Wild is 6-3-2 in its past 11 against the Jets.
Players to watch: G Devan Dubnyk is coming off a season-high 31 saves in a 1-0 shutout of Tampa Bay. C Mikko Koivu has at least a point in nine of his past 11 games. C Mikael Granlund has no even-strength points in his past 10 games. RW Jason Pominville has no goals in 13 games this season, tied for the second-longest goal drought of his career. D Ryan Suter is tied for seventh among NHL defensemen with 11 points. Jets. RW Blake Wheeler has points in 12 of his 15 games this season. D Dustin Byfuglien, a physical menace against the Wild, is tied for second among NHL defensemen with four goals.
Numbers: The Wild is 11-12-1 all-time without injured Zach Parise. … The Wild has eight goals and 28 points from its defensemen.
Injuries: The Wild's Parise (knee), C Tyler Graovac (sports hernia) and RW Justin Fontaine (sprained MCL) are out. Jets D Grant Clitsome (back) and C Andrew Copp (upper body) are out.
MICHAEL RUSSO
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The Wild head toward a big game against Dallas with one of the NHL’s best records but also with health concerns after Joel Eriksson Ek and Mats Zuccarello exited injured.
