wild gameday
6 p.m. at N.Y. RANGERS • FSN, 100.3 FM
Preview: The Wild, the NHL's best defensive team at one goal and 22.2 shots per game, got goals from six different players for the first time since Oct. 7, 2006, in Saturday's 7-2 victory over Tampa Bay. This is the Wild's first set of back-to-backs this season. The Rangers, a Stanley Cup finalist last June, have won three of four but are coming off a 3-1 loss at Montreal.
Players to watch: Wild G Darcy Kuemper has allowed four goals in five starts and has a .966 save percentage. LW Zach Parise leads the Wild with seven points, is tied for third in the NHL with 36 shots and has 15 goals and 35 points in 45 career games against the Rangers. Rangers LW Rick Nash leads the East with eight goals. Former Minnesota Mr. Hockey Ryan McDonagh is the Rangers' captain and one of the NHL's best young defensemen. G Henrik Lundqvist is 3-3 against the Wild with an .883 save percentage.
Numbers: The Wild has outshot every opponent this season. … The Wild's penalty kill ranks second in the NHL (94.7 percent; 18 of 19), but its power play is one of two in the NHL that hasn't scored (0-for-20).
Injuries: Wild D Keith Ballard (sick) and D Christian Folin (sick) are out. Rangers C Derek Stepan (fibula) and D Dan Boyle (hand) are out.
MICHAEL RUSSO
