Preview: The Wild, 4-5-3 in the second game of back-to-backs this season, completes a stretch of eight games in 13 days. The Blues, rested since last playing Tuesday, are 9-2-1 since beating the Wild in St. Louis on Feb. 6 and have won six of their past seven road games and have at least a point in 11 of their past 13 road games.
Players to watch: Blues RW Vladimir Tarasenko ranks sixth in the NHL with 30 goals. Former Spring Lake Park High and Minnesota State Mankato C David Backes has 16 goals and 35 points. Wild C Mikko Koivu has power-play goals in two consecutive games. LW Zach Parise has one goal in his past 17 games.
Injuries: Wild RW Jason Pominville strained a muscle in his left leg Saturday and hopes to play his 231st consecutive game, which would tie the Blues' Kyle Brodziak as the second-longest ironman streak in Wild history. Blues C Steve Ott (hamstring), LW Alex Steen (upper body) and G Brian Elliott (knee) are out. C Jori Lehtera (upper body) is probable.
MICHAEL RUSSO
