Detroit @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 4, 2018 ) Detroit 1, Minnesota 4

The Minnesota Wild have begun the new year by winning four of their first five games, including the opener of a stretch during which they play five of six contests at home. Minnesota hopes to keep the momentum rolling when they host the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.

The Wild bounced back from a shutout loss in Boston as they stormed out to a three-goal lead before hanging on for a 3-2 triumph over Winnipeg on Thursday. Jason Zucker showed signs of breaking out of his slump, scoring twice in the win to end a seven-game drought and a stretch during which he recorded one goal in 14 contests. Detroit is coming off its ninth loss in 10 contests, a 4-2 setback in Winnipeg on Friday. The Red Wings have not fared well on the road of late, losing four straight and seven of their last eight.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, FS North Plus, FS Wisconsin (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (16-23-7): Mike Green made his first appearance of 2019 on Friday, recording five shots and a minus-2 rating in 22 minutes, 12 seconds of ice time. The 33-year-old defenseman had missed 13 contests with a foot injury. Luke Glendening, who ended his 12-game goal-scoring drought on Friday, is six points away from 100 in the NHL.

ABOUT THE WILD (22-18-3): Zach Parise notched an assist against the Jets to pull even with Mikael Granlund for the team lead with 39 points. The 34-year-old Parise has recorded 10 points (four goals) over his last eight games and needs one goal to reach 20 for the ninth time in his career. Defenseman Jared Spurgeon registered a pair of assists on Thursday for his third multi-point performance in five contests.

OVERTIME

1. Wild C Eric Staal, who ranks second on the team with 13 tallies, has gone seven games without a goal and recorded just one over his last 12 contests.

2. Detroit C Dylan Larkin has been kept off the scoresheet in back-to-back games for the first time since Nov. 21 and 23.

3. Minnesota captain C Mikko Koivu is one goal shy of 200 for his career.

PREDICTION: Wild 4, Red Wings 1