wild gameday
7 p.m. VS. TAMPA BAY • XCEL ENERGY CENTER • FSN, 100.3 FM
Preview: The Wild's secret to success is simple. Don't give up a goal, win. Give up a goal, lose. In the Wild's three wins, it has outscored its opponents 10-0. In his two losses, it has been outscored 4-2. So in all, the Wild has shutouts in both its home games, given up four goals in five games and has allowed a league-low 22.8 shots per game. This is the second of back-to-backs for Tampa Bay, which visited Winnipeg on Friday. The Lightning was allowing 1.86 goals per game and 24.9 shots per game.
Players to watch: Wild G Darcy Kuemper has allowed two goals in four starts. He is one of two goalies since 1943-44 to record three shutouts in his first four starts of a season. He is 13-3-2 all-time at home with a 1.61 goals-against average. Captain Mikko Koivu, the all-time leading scorer for the Wild, has no points in five games. LW Thomas Vanek has no goals and two assists in five games. Lightning C Steven Stamkos was tied for third in the NHL with five goals and scored his sixth Friday. Watch LW Jonathan Drouin, the 19-year-old 2013 third overall pick. He is a star in the making. Former Wild invitee Tyler Johnson had five points. Evgeni Nabokov may start in goal. He is 16-8-3 all-time vs. the Wild with a 2.09 goals-against average.
Numbers: The Wild was one of two teams without a power-play goal entering Friday's play (0 for 19); its penalty kill was third-best at 93.3 percent. … Before Friday, seven of the Lightning's 21 goals came on the power play. … The Wild is second in the NHL with 36 shots per game. … The Wild is 10-4-2 all-time vs. the Lightning, 6-2 at home.
Injuries: Wild D Keith Ballard (sick) and D Christian Folin (sick) are out. Lightning D Victor Hedman (hand), D Mattias Ohlund (knee), RW Ryan Callahan (lower body) and LW Alex Killorn (upper body) are out.
MICHAEL RUSSO
