Minnesota @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 22, 2020 ) Detroit 2, Minnesota 4

The Minnesota Wild have collected at least a point in 11 of their last 16 games (10-5-1) to move within three points of the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. The Wild aim to continue their ascent on Thursday when they visit the Detroit Red Wings, who have lost 17 of their last 20 games (3-16-1).

Minnesota captain Mikko Koivu doubled his season goal total after recording his first career multi-goal performance in over three years and 18th career in Tuesday's 5-4 victory over Columbus. "It's rewarding if we make the playoffs," the 36-year-old Finn said. "If we don't, I don't think anyone is going to remember if I had two goals or not. ... If I can help the team get the win, for sure it's a good feeling. But that's about it, and now we move on to the next one." The next one comes against NHL-worst Detroit, which already has been eliminated from postseason contention for the fourth straight season after qualifying for the playoffs on 25 straight occasions. "I thought we looked like a team that just had two players traded away," Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said of the team's 4-1 loss to New Jersey on Tuesday, one day removed after sending Andreas Athanasiou and defenseman Mike Green to Edmonton at the trade deadline. "I don't think our focus was very good. We have to be a lot better going forward."

TIME: 7:30 p.m. ET. TV: FS North, FS Wisconsin, FS Detroit

ABOUT THE WILD (30-25-7): Kevin Fiala is putting his best foot forward in his pursuit of the playoffs by boosting his totals in goals (eight) and assists (six) this month with one of each on Tuesday. "We're a family here," the 23-year-old said. "Right now we're in a pretty good spot, so we know what we have to do. We believe. We know it's going to be us, especially now with the deadline (having passed). We're happy to stay with this group and just to continue with this group moving forward." Eric Staal collected a goal and an assist on Tuesday to match his total in a 4-2 victory over Detroit on Jan. 22.

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (15-46-4): Dylan Larkin extended his point streak to four games (two goals, four assists) after setting up Valtteri Filppula's power-play goal midway into the third period on Tuesday. The point was the 515th in the career for Filppula, who moved past Jere Lehtinen into sole possession of 10th place in league history in points by a Finnish-born player. The 35-year-old Filppula has recorded 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) in 39 career games against Minnesota.

OVERTIME

1. Minnesota has recorded at least a point in 11 of its last 15 games (8-4-3) versus Detroit.

2. Red Wings G Jimmy Howard sports a 15-5-3 record with a one shutout, a 2.27 goals-against average in 23 career starts versus the Wild.

3. Minnesota LW Zach Parise has totaled 23 points (12 goals, 11 assists) in 20 career meetings with Detroit.

PREDICTION: Wild 5, Red Wings 1