7 p.m., Xcel Energy Center, FSN
Preview: After a 2-1 road trip, the Wild returned to St. Paul and began a three-game homestand by being shut out by the worst defense in the NHL, the Calgary Flames. The Wild, after being near the top of the NHL in goals scored in October, is 5-4 in the past nine games despite only allowing 10 goals. It has scored 22 goals in that stretch and has suffered two 1-0 losses in the past five games. The Wild, which shut out the Bruins 5-0 on Oct. 25, is 13-4-2 all-time vs. the Bruins, 5-2-2 at home.
Players to watch: Wild C Eric Staal has at least a point in eight of his past 10 games. He has 15 goals and 35 points in 44 games against the Bruins. RW Jason Pominville has 20 goals and 46 points in 56 games against Boston. G Devan Dubnyk ranks tied for first in the NHL with three shutouts and a .948 save percentage and second with a 1.60 goals-against average. Bruins LW Brad Marchand is tied for 13th in the NHL with 16 points in 16 games. RW David Backes, the former Blues captain, has 23 points in 38 games against Minnesota. C Patrice Bergeron has eight points in 12 games against the Wild.
Numbers: The Wild is 5-1-1 against current playoff teams, 3-5 against current non-playoff teams. … The Wild ranks first in the NHL with a 1.92 goals-against average and .938 save percentage.
Injuries: Wild D Marco Scandella (ankle) and C Zac Dalpe (knee) are out. Bruins G Anton Khudobin (upper body) and D Kevan Miller (knee) are out.
Michael Russo
