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Wild try to get back on track in Calgary

Dec 20, 2011 - 4:08 PM (Sports Network) - The Minnesota Wild have hit a snag since ripping off seven straight wins and look to get back on track tonight with a showdown versus the Northwest Division-rival Calgary Flames at the Saddledome.

The Wild have dropped a season-high four in a row (0-2-2) and suffered a 4-0 loss last night at Vancouver in the opener of a three-game road trip. Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo turned aside 33 shots for his first shutout of the season, while Wild netminder Niklas Backstrom stopped 29-of-33 shots.

"I didn't like the start we had to the game," Wild head coach Mike Yeo said. "We made a few mistakes tonight and they seemed to capitalize."

It was the first time Minnesota was shut out this season, but the Wild still lead the Northwest Division by three points over Vancouver. Minnesota is 10-5-2 away from home this season. Center Kyle Brodziak leads the team with 11 goals and has three in his previous five games.

Center Mikko Koivu leads Minnesota with 28 points and has four goals in his last five games. He has recorded a point in 13 of his past 14 contests, and missed Monday's game because of a leg injury. Minnesota's captain is questionable for tonight.

Minnesota will close out the road trip Thursday at Edmonton.

Calgary is also mired in a four-game losing streak and just went 0-2-2 on a four-game road trip. In Sunday's 4-2 loss at Chicago, Olli Jokinen and Curtis Glencross each scored in the third period for the Flames, who had won three straight before the unsuccessful road swing.

"We have got to learn from it and move on," Flames forward Lee Stempniak said about the loss. "We have to play a certain way to win and we just have to stick to that identity."

Flames goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff allowed all four goals on 25 shots. The Flames will also host Detroit on this quick residency before hitting the road again for seven games against the Canucks, Blue Jackets, Islanders, Senators, Predators, Capitals and Bruins.

Calgary center Matt Stajan (ankle) is questionable for Tuesday's game.

Head coach Brent Sutter needs three more games for 200 with the Flames and five wins for 100 with the club. Superstar Jarome Iginla is still four goals shy of 500 in his career and has five goals and seven assists for 12 points in his last nine games. Jokinen has posted six goals and seven assists for 13 points over that stretch.

Minnesota and Calgary are meeting for the third time this season and have split the first two encounters, with each team prevailing as the guest. The Wild have won seven of the past 10 matchups with Calgary and have lost three straight as the host in this series.

The Wild have compiled a 6-1-0 mark in the last seven games at the Saddledome after starting 3-18-4 there.