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Gaborik, Wild aim for third straight road win

Jan 14, 2007 - 3:06 PM Minnesota (23-19-3) at Chicago (17-22-5) 7:00 pm EST

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Minnesota Wild have looked like a different team with Marian Gaborik on the ice.

Gaborik and the Wild shoot for a season-best third straight road win Sunday when they visit the slumping Chicago Blackhawks.

Despite boasting one of the best home records in the Western Conference, Minnesota has been woeful on the road this season, going just 6-15-1.

But Gaborik, who missed 34 games with a groin injury from October 20-January 6, has provided a much-needed offensive boost since returning, sparking the Wild to consecutive road wins for the first time this season.

After tallying twice in a 5-2 victory at Vancouver on Thursday, Gaborik scored a pair of goals in Friday's 4-2 triumph at Edmonton. Gaborik, who netted a career-high 38 goals last season, has eight tallies and three assists in just 11 contests this season.

Brian Rolston scored his team-leading 23rd goal while Manny Fernandez stopped 32 shots Friday for Minnesota, which can match a franchise record with a third straight road win Sunday. The Wild reeled off three consecutive road victories last season from February 2-10, but the first win came via a shootout.

Minnesota has dominated Chicago over the last two seasons, winning five consecutive meetings since a 4-2 loss on October 23, 2005. The Wild have beaten the Blackhawks twice this season, including a 5-4 overtime triumph in Minnesota on December 9.

Aside from looking to reverse their losing trend against the Wild, the Blackhawks hope to snap a five-game skid.

Chicago squandered an early lead Saturday in a 6-3 loss at Detroit. The Blackhawks' longest losing streak this year is an eight-game skid from October 20-November 10.