• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Richards, Flyers set to battle surging Wild

Dec 5, 2007 - 2:47 PM Philadelphia (14-9-2) at Minnesota (15-9-2) 8:00 pm EST

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (Ticker) - The Philadelphia Flyers are probably the most improved team in the NHL this season, but they have hit a rough patch.

Mike Richards will try to lead the Flyers to their fourth consecutive road victory when they visit the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday.

After finishing last season with an NHL-worst 56 points, Philadelphia is already just eight wins shy of matching its season total for the 2006-07 campaign.

One of the major reasons for the Flyers' turn around has been the play of Richards, who leads the team with 14 goals and 31 points.

Despite the success on the road, Philadelphia lost five of its previous eight contests. After Randy Jones scored 41 seconds into Saturday's contest, the Flyers were held off the scoresheet for the remainder of game in a 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars.

The Wild are looking to close out their four-game home stand with their fifth straight win. After this contest, they will play five consecutive road games and will not be back in Minnesota until December 18.

Niklas Backstrom has been spectacular in goal over the winning streak, posting a 1.75 goals-against average. He is 12-4-1 with a 2.22 GAA and .916 save percentage with two shutouts this season.

Marian Gaborik leads the Wild with 10 goals and 21 points, despite missing five games with a strained groin.