Hurricanes at Wild
THE STORY: With their postseason hopes on life support, the Carolina Hurricanes cannot afford a misstep. Unfortunately for the Hurricanes, star center Jeff Skinner made a big one when he was suspended by the league for two games for kicking Scott Nichol of the St. Louis Blues during Thursday's game. Carolina will be without its second-leading scorer when it visits the Minnesota Wild on Saturday.
TV: 2 p.m. ET, FSCR, FSNO
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (27-29-15): Goaltender Cam Ward secured his 200th career victory and he did it in style, blanking NHL-best St. Louis 2-0. It was Ward’s fourth shutout of the season and 20th of his career, tying the team record held by Arturs Irbe. Left wing Chad LaRose had a goal against the Blues, his fourth in sixth games. Captain Eric Staal needs one goal to reach 20 for the seventh straight season but is mired in an eight-game goalless drought.
ABOUT THE WILD (29-31-10): Minnesota’s league-worst offense came up small again in a 1-0 home loss to Dallas on Tuesday night. It was the seventh defeat in eight games for the Wild, including four by shutout. There could be some help on the way. Captain Mikko Koivu, who has been sidelined since Feb. 16 with a shoulder injury, was cleared for contact and has practiced the last two days. Center Matt Cullen hurt his knee versus Dallas and is iffy for Saturday.
OVERTIME:
1. Minnesota is looking to avoid five straight regulation losses for the first time in team history.
2. The Hurricanes have won the last three meetings.
3. Wild LW Dany Heatley has been held off the scoresheet for six straight games, but he has 16 goals and 33 points in 29 games against Carolina.