Flames at Wild
The Minnesota Wild have been superb at home and a disaster on the road, a trend they hope continues for at least one more game when they host the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night. Minnesota has won four straight at home and dropped five in a row on the road after absorbing a 7-2 beating at Colorado on Saturday.
The wins and losses aside, the Wild have been been outscored 21-5 during the five-game drought away from home while owning a 19-7 scoring edge in their last four at Xcel Energy Center. "We got to learn how to win on the road," coach Bruce Boudreau said following the latest debacle. "That's ridiculous how we can play so good at home and completely opposite on the road." The Flames will kick off a four-game road trip after completing a perfect three-game homestand while extending their string of one-goal games to seven in a row. "We've had the same mindset these last few games," forward Micheal Ferland said. "We know how big these points are right now. We've just been playing simple hockey and waiting for our chances. I think it's working for us right now."
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Sportsnet West (Calgary), FS North (Minnesota)
ABOUT THE FLAMES (21-16-4): Reports that Calgary and Jaromir Jagr will be severing ties appear to be closer to fruition after the league's No. 2 career scorer did not accompany the team to Minnesota. Jagr, who will turn 46 next month, has collected only one goal and six assists in 22 games during an injury-plagued first season with the Flames. Goaltender Mike Smith has won three consecutive starts, but he is only 4-11-2 lifetime against Minnesota.
ABOUT THE WILD (22-17-3): Captain Mikko Koivu, having his least productive season since his rookie campaign in 2005-06, missed Monday's practice due to the flu and was labeled "questionable" by Boudreau. Eric Staal scored both goals Saturday at Colorado to give him seven in nine games and 19 on the season, bolstering his All-Star chances. "He'd be my pick," teammate Charlie Coyle said. "He's been a great player for us. He deserves it."
OVERTIME
1. The Wild have won both meetings this season after Calgary won the previous four matchups.
2. Flames F Johnny Gaudreau has five assists during a three-game point streak.
3. Wild G Alex Stalock, who earned the win in both matchups this season, will get the start Tuesday.