Wild at Blue Jackets
After recording a seven-game winning streak, the Minnesota Wild are now gasping for air. The Wild, who have dropped four of their last five decisions, look to stop the bleeding when they conclude a three-game road trip against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday. Minnesota, which trails Northwest Division-leading Vancouver by four points, suffered its third straight loss with a 3-0 setback to Los Angeles on Thursday.
Columbus saw its three-game winning streak come to an end with a 3-1 loss to St. Louis on Friday. The defeat proved costly as the eighth-place Blues extended their lead over the Blue Jackets to three points. Columbus can take solace as it returns to Nationwide Arena, where it has collected points in each of its last 12 games (9-0-3).
TV: 6 p.m. ET, FSN North, FSN Wisconsin (Minnesota), FSN Ohio (Columbus)
ABOUT THE WILD (21-14-2): Dany Heatley traveled with the team but is not expected to compete for at least two weeks due to a wrist injury. Coach Mike Yeo admitted the team is considering sending the star forward back to Minnesota for additional evaluation. Heatley was injured after being on the receiving end of a vicious slash from San Jose defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic in the waning moments of Wednesday's 4-2 loss. Veteran center Matt Cullen also will be a spectator on Sunday as he continues to nurse a lower-body injury.
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (16-15-7): Marian Gaborik has been a welcome addition in the Buckeye State. Gaborik has secured a goal and two assists since being acquired from the New York Rangers at the trade deadline. Sunday's opponent certainly knows about Gaborik, who was selected with the third overall pick of the 2000 draft by Minnesota. Gaborik spent his first eight NHL seasons with the Wild - including a memorable 42-goal, 41-assist performance in 2007-08.
OVERTIME
1. Minnesota's margin for error is slim, as it holds just a one-point lead over seventh-place Detroit and a two-point edge over St. Louis.
2. G Niklas Backstrom made 17 saves in the Wild's 3-2 home win over Columbus on Jan. 29. The teams will meet twice in a span of seven days.
3. Blue Jackets C Mark Letestu, who tallied in the teams' first meeting, has been held off the scoresheet in his last two contests. He had registered a goal and an assist in his two previous outings.