Wild at Ducks
The Minnesota Wild attempt to extend their winning streak to three games Friday, when they visit the Anaheim Ducks. Minnesota ended a three-game slide Tuesday with a 3-2 home triumph over the Columbus Blue Jackets and handed the Chicago Blackhawks their first setback of the season the following night with a 3-2 shootout victory. The Wild have played only two of their first seven games this season on the road and are in search of their first win away from home (0-1-1).
Anaheim has had two days to recover from a disappointing 3-2 shootout loss to the Sharks in San Jose on Tuesday. The Ducks scored twice in a 59-second span in the second period to take the lead, only to allow the tying goal with 2:45 remaining in the third before falling in the bonus format. Anaheim's matchup with Minnesota begins a three-game homestand before the club kicks off a six-game road trip in Colorado on Wednesday.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, FSN North, FSN Wisconsin (Minnesota), FSN West (Anaheim)
ABOUT THE WILD (4-2-1): Zach Parise has wasted little time proving his worth as the left wing has recorded five goals and nine points in his first seven games with Minnesota. The Wild have scored 19 goals thus far this season, with the top line of Parise, Dany Heatley (four) and captain Mikko Koivu combining for 11 tallies. Pierre-Marc Bouchard and defenseman Tom Gilbert (two apiece) are the only other members of the Wild with more than one goal. Blue-liner Jared Spurgeon is questionable for Friday's contest with a sore foot.
ABOUT THE DUCKS (3-1-1): Right wing Emerson Etem made his NHL debut against San Jose on Tuesday. The 20-year-old recorded one shot on goal and blocked one in just under eight minutes of ice time. "It was definitely exciting," Etem said. "I felt I got my feet under myself early." The 29th overall pick in the 2010 draft also earned praise from coach Bruce Boudreau. "He was fine. He didn't look like a deer in the headlights or anything." Center Daniel Winnik leads the Ducks with five goals in five games. He scored eight goals in 84 contests with Colorado and San Jose last season.
OVERTIME
1. Two of the Ducks' first five games have gone to a shootout.
2. The road team has won each of the last five meetings after the home team had captured the previous five.
3. Anaheim continues its homestand Saturday against Los Angeles before concluding it Monday versus San Jose.
PREDICTION: Ducks 4, Wild 1.