wild gameday
7 p.m. vs. Chicago • Xcel Energy Center • FSN, 100.3-FM
Preview: The Blackhawks, who have eliminated the Wild in the past two playoffs, make their first return to St. Paul since May. In Game 6 in overtime, Patrick Kane found a puck that hit a stanchion to score the winner. The Wild lost in Chicago 5-3 on Dec. 16.
Players to watch: Wild LW Jason Zucker leads with 13 even-strength goals, is tied for the team lead with 14 goals and is coming off a two-goal, three-point, eight-shot night against San Jose. G Niklas Backstrom is 6-10-1 all-time vs. the Blackhawks. Blackhawks F Marian Hossa has 23 points in 28 games vs. the Wild.
Injuries: Wild LW Zach Parise (personal), C Mikko Koivu (lower body), G Darcy Kuemper (undisclosed) and D Nate Prosser (illness) are questionable. D Marco Scandella (upper body), C Mikael Granlund (wrist surgery) and D Keith Ballard (facial fractures, concussion) are out. Blackhawks LW Kris Versteeg (hand) is questionable.
MICHAEL RUSSO
