Penguins at Wild
The Minnesota Wild have won only five of their last 15 games (5-5-5), but they remain in control of the top wild-card spot in the Western Conference entering Saturday's matchup against the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins. The Wild have a four-point lead over Phoenix and a five-point edge over Dallas with five games to play - four of which are on home ice. Minnesota needs to reverse its recent fortunes at the Xcel Energy Center, having dropped five of six (1-2-3).
Pittsburgh trails Boston by eight points for the best record in the Eastern Conference and has little to play for after clinching the Metropolitan Division with Thursday's 4-2 victory at Winnipeg. The Penguins have been wracked by injuries this season, and staying healthy is paramount down the stretch. "We've gone through a lot this year injury-wise, and it hasn't been easy," said captain Sidney Crosby, who holds a comfortable 18-point lead in the league scoring race.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), FSN North (Minnesota)
ABOUT THE PENGUINS (49-23-5): Defenseman Paul Martin returned to the lineup following an 18-game absence due to a broken hand and scored the winning goal in the division clincher. "To be able to play that type of game after being out with an injury to his hand, I thought he was excellent," coach Dan Bylsma said. "Just the execution also on our power play was noticeable for our group in that regard. He is out in all situations. It was clearly evident what getting him back in our lineup can do for our team." Crosby had a pair of assists Thursday to extend his point streak to six games.
ABOUT THE WILD (39-26-12): Injuries have caused a revolving door in Minnesota's crease, with Ilya Bryzgalov the fourth goaltender to be forced into the No. 1 slot this season. Bryzgalov was expected to provide veteran insurance to Darcy Kuemper when he was acquired at the trade deadline, but he is 4-0-3 with the Wild and will make his fourth consecutive start as the rookie is sidelined with an upper-body injury. "He can be quirky,” general manager Cliff Fletcher said of Bryzgalov. "But he’s been a quality goaltender in this league for many years.”
OVERTIME
1. Minnesota had won seven of eight meetings before the Penguins took the past two, including a 5-2 home victory on Dec. 19.
2. Crosby has three goals and six assists in six games versus Minnesota.
3. Bryzgalov is 5-2-2 lifetime against the Penguins.