Preview: The Wild has lost 10 of 11 (1-7-3) and is 0-5-1 in its past six on the road, scoring four goals in that stretch. The Flames are coming off a 9-0 beatdown in Boston and have lost five in a row and nine of 13.

Players to watch: Flames captain Jarome Iginla, the all-time leading scorer against the Wild with 33 goals and 61 points, is one goal from 500. G Niklas Backstrom might start for the Wild. He is 5-0 in his past six decisions in Calgary (0.52 goals-against average, .984 save percentage) and hasn't given up a goal in 125 minutes, 17 seconds there.

Numbers: The Wild is 6-2 in its past eight games at the Saddledome after starting 3-18-4 there. ... Wild C Matt Cullen is set to play his 999th game. ... This is a battle between the 25th-ranked offense (Calgary) and 29th (Minnesota).

Injuries: Wild W Pierre-Marc Bouchard (lower body) missed the past two practices and is questionable. D Clayton Stoner (groin) is expected to return. LW Guillaume Latendresse (concussion) and Jarod Palmer (upper body) are out. Calgary LW Rene Bourque (suspended), D Mark Giordano (leg), LW Alex Tanguay (upper body), RW David Moss (ankle), G Henrik Karlsson (knee), C Matt Stajan (ankle) are out. D Scott Hannan (upper body) is questionable.

MICHAEL RUSSO