Wild at Ducks
The Pacific Division-leading Anaheim Ducks attempt to cool off the Minnesota Wild when the teams face off at the Honda Center on Friday. Since falling to the Colorado Avalanche in a shootout on Feb. 14, Minnesota has won four of five games - including a 4-3 triumph over the Coyotes in Phoenix on Thursday. Dany Heatley posted his second two-goal performance of the season as the Wild built a 4-1 lead before allowing two tallies in the final 4:39 of the third period.
Anaheim rebounded from just its third regulation loss of the season on Monday to trounce the Nashville Predators 5-1 two days later. Kyle Palmieri recorded a natural hat trick - the first three-goal effort of his career - and Viktor Fasth posted his ninth win in 10 NHL decisions. The Ducks improved to 7-1-0 at home, with the only loss coming on Jan. 25 against the Vancouver Canucks.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, FSN North, FSN Wisconsin (Minnesota), FSN West (Anaheim)
ABOUT THE WILD (10-7-2): Heatley had scored just one goal in his previous 13 games. The two-time 50-goal scorer also tallied twice against Colorado in the season opener. Left wing Jason Zucker has provided an offensive spark since being recalled from Houston of the American Hockey League, scoring three goals in five games. The Wild have struggled offensively away from home of late, scoring a total of 12 goals in their last seven road contests. They have tallied more than twice only two times in those games.
ABOUT THE DUCKS (14-3-1): After hosting the Wild, Anaheim begins an unheard-of three-game series against the Coyotes. The division rivals meet in Phoenix on Saturday and Monday before squaring off in Anaheim on Wednesday. Palmieri benefited from playing on a line with captain Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry against Nashville. Getzlaf has registered nine points during a four-game streak while Perry has collected four goals and seven assists during his six-game run. Anaheim's power play has been on fire, going 8-for-14 over the last four contests.
OVERTIME
1. The Ducks posted a 3-1 triumph over the Wild at home on Feb. 1, ending a streak of five straight wins by the road team in the all-time series.
2. Minnesota has won only eight of its last 35 road games.
3. Seven of the Wild's last nine contests have been decided by one goal.
PREDICTION: Ducks 5, Wild 1