Minnesota @ Carolina preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 13, 2018 ) Carolina 5, Minnesota 4

A day after climbing into the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference, the Minnesota Wild look to remain there when they visit the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday. Minnesota edged host Washington 2-1 on Friday to move one point ahead of Colorado and Arizona in the standings but has played one more game than both clubs.

Rookie Luke Kunin snapped a 1-1 tie with 7:35 remaining in the third period, ending his 10-game drought and giving him two goals in his last 16 contests. It was a rare victory for the Wild, who have followed a five-game winning streak with a stretch during which they have lost seven of 10 contests (3-4-3). Carolina owns a two-point lead over Montreal for the first wild card in the Eastern Conference and still has aspirations of finishing in the top three in the Metropolitan Division as it trails the first-place Capitals by seven points and is four behind both Pittsburgh and the New York Islanders with games in hand on all three teams. The Hurricanes are 2-1-0 on their five-game homestand after dropping a 6-3 decision to Presidents' Trophy-winning Tampa Bay on Thursday.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS North, FS Wisconsin (Minnesota), FS Carolinas

ABOUT THE WILD (35-31-9): Ryan Donato has proven to be a huge addition to the lineup as he has recorded 15 points (four goals) in as many games since being acquired from Boston on Feb. 20. The 22-year-old center has registered two points in six of those contests - including the triumph on Friday, when he helped set up both of Minnesota's goals. Zach Parise leads the team with 59 points and is riding a four-game streak during which he has notched two tallies and two assists.

ABOUT THE HURRICANES (40-26-7): Sebastian Aho tops the club with 30 goals and 79 points and needs seven to reach 200 for his career. The 21-year-old center and fellow Finn Teuvo Teravainen share the team lead with 49 assists apiece after both recorded one in the loss to the Lightning. Teravainen needs two goals to reach 20 for the second consecutive season but has gone 10 contests without one.

OVERTIME

1. Wild LW Jordan Greenway scored Friday to end his 12-game drought and his stretch of seven straight contests without a point.

2. Carolina D Dougie Hamilton is riding a three-game point streak (one goal, two assists) and is seven shy of reaching 40 for the fifth consecutive season.

3. Minnesota LW Marcus Foligno's next appearance will be his 500th in the NHL.

PREDICTION: Hurricanes 4, Wild 2