Winnipeg, which lost 6-3 to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday, is 2-5-1 in its past eight games after going 7-2-1 in its previous 10. Minnesota has lost two straight games at home for the first time this season. The Jets have won each of the previous two games against the Wild this season, including a 6-0 victory on Dec. 21.
Players to watch
Jets forward Mark Scheifele has 22 points (10 goals, 12 assists) in his past 14 games. Wild forward Eric Staal has two goals in his past five games after getting nine points (five goals, four assists) in his previous five.
They said it
"We've played some good hockey but haven't seen the results we wanted. Overall, I think it's been a really positive first half, but still a lot of room to approve."-- Jets forward Patrik Laine "We still know what the score was at the end of the [last game against Winnipeg]. It'll be a challenge tomorrow, but hopefully a challenge we're up to." -- Wild coach Bruce Boudreau
Little, Copp and Kulikov each practiced in a non-contact jersey Friday. Little has no time frame for his return, but Copp and Kulikov joined the team for the current four-game road trip. … Wild defenseman Nick Seeler was assigned to Iowa of the American Hockey League on a conditioning stint Friday.
Stat pack
Laine has eight points (four goals, four assists) in his past six games. … Connor has nine points (seven goals, two assists) in his past six games. … Parise has two assists in his past five games. … Fiala has eight points (two goals, six assists) in his past nine games.
