Wild Warmup: Minnesota at Vegas

The essentials

LAS VEGAS -- The Wild opens a brief two-game road trip against the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday at T-Mobile Arena. But just because the trip is short doesn't mean it isn't uber-important.
Following a win by the Colorado Avalanche over the same Golden Knights in Denver on Thursday, Minnesota begins its trip four points out of the playoffs and in desperate need of a victory Friday night.

In that regard, the Wild could be getting some reinforcements back in its lineup in the form of Zach Parise and Joel Eriksson Ek.
Parise skated on his own Wednesday but practiced on a line with Eric Staal and Jason Zucker on Thursday before the team's flight to Las Vegas. Parise, the team's leading scorer, has missed the past two games with a lower-body injury. Minnesota has scored just one goal total in those two games.
Eriksson Ek has not played since March 11 because of a lower-body injury, but his potential return would move Luke Kunin from center back to wing. Eriksson Ek skated Thursday between Kunin and left wing Jordan Greenway.
"He looked fine. He looks ready to go," said Wild coach Bruce Boudreau. "I think Zach could be more of a game-time decision."
Vegas begins the day Thursday five points back of San Jose for second place in the Pacific Division. The Sharks and Golden Knights are a likely first-round matchup in the playoffs, with home ice in the series the only thing up for grabs.
Four Golden Knights have surpassed 50 points this season, with Jonathan Marchessault leading the way with 24 goals and 56 points. William Karlsson has 23 goals and 53 points while Reilly Smith leads the club with 33 assists among 52 points.
Malcolm Subban has filled in recently for the injured Marc-Andre Fleury and has a 7-9-1 record in 18 games (17 starts) with a 2.98 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage.

On the road again

Minnesota is 9-4-2 in its last 15 road games and 13-6-2 in its last 21 road contests. The Wild ranks T-4th in the NHL in points (28) and wins on the road since Dec. 29.
The Wild is 20-16-2 on the road this season - the fourth time in franchise history it has recorded 20 road wins in a season.
Zach Parise leads the Wild in road scoring with 34 points (15-19=34), Eric Staal is second with 28 points (9-19=28), Jared Spurgeon is third with 19 points (9-10=19) and Ryan Suter is fourth with 18 points (6-12=18).
Devan Dubnyk is 13-5-2 with a 2.41 GAA, a .919 SV% and two shutouts in his last 20 road starts and leads the NHL in road wins since Dec. 29.

Series notes

All-Time Wild Record:4-0-1 (2-0-1 at Xcel Energy Center, 2-0-0 at Vegas)
2018-19: Minnesota is 1-0-1 in two season meetings against Vegas…The Wild earned a point with a 2-1 shootout loss in its first contest at Xcel Energy Center (10/6) and took the second contest with a 4-2 victory at T-Mobile Arena (1/21)…C Charlie Coyle (1-1=2) and C Eric Staal (1-1=2) lead Minnesota with two points…D Matt Dumba, LW Marcus Foligno and C Mikko Koivu each own a goal…G Devan Dubnyk is 1-0-1 with a 1.44 GAA and a .959 SV% in two starts…D Colin Miller leads the Golden Knights with three assists…C Jonathan Marchessault (0-2=2) and LW Max Pacioretty (2-0=2) have two points apiece…G Marc-Andre Fleury is 1-1-0 with a 1.95 GAA and a .922 SV% in two games.
WILD LEADERS: Staal leads the Wild with eight points (5-3=8) in five career contests against Vegas…Dumba has five points (2-3=5) in four matches…D Jonas Brodin owns five points (1-4=5) in five games…RW Kevin Fiala has five points (2-3=5) in six contests.
WILD GOALIES: Dubnyk is 3-0-1 with a 1.71 GAA and a .946 SV% in four career starts vs. the Golden Knights…G Alex Stalock earned the win in his first career action, making 26 saves (3/16/18).
GOLDEN KNIGHTS LEADERS: C Paul Stastny leads the Golden Knights with 39 points (14-25=39) in 64 games against Minnesota… Pacioretty owns 11 points (8-3=11) in 13 contests…C Cody Eakin owns seven points (3-4=7) in 25 matches…RW Reilly Smith owns five points (2-3=5) in 14 games.
GOLDEN KNIGHTS GOALIES:Fleury is 3-9-0 with a 3.29 GAA and a .888 SV% in 12 starts vs. the Wild…G Malcolm Subban is 0-3-0 with a 4.07 GAA and a .878 SV% in three starts.

Did you know?

Minnesota is one of two NHL teams that has not suffered a regulation loss against Vegas (St. Louis Blues).