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Gaborik, Wild set to host rival Canucks

Feb 19, 2008 - 2:02 PM Vancouver (29-22-8) at Minnesota (34-21-4) 8:00 pm EST

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (Ticker) - All-Star Marian Gaborik tires to build off yet another impressive performance Tuesday when the Minnesota Wild host the Vancouver Canucks in a Northwest Division battle.

Gaborik scored two goals - including the game-winner with five seconds left in overtime - and set up another in Sunday's 5-4 triumph over the Nashville Predators.

The Wild are an eye-popping 25-0-1 when leading after two periods.

The 25-year-old Gaborik also scored in Minnesota's 5-4 shootout victory over Vancouver in their most recent meeting on Thursday. It marked the Wild's third consecutive victory over the Canucks.

Mikko Koivu put the finishing touches on Minnesota's uncharacteristic win. Koivu scored the decisive goal in the shootout and Stephane Veilleux tallied twice in regulation.

"Usually there's maybe just one or two goals each game," Veilleux said of his team's offensive outburst. "We created some offense and they played a good game, too, so it was a good hockey game, and we're pretty happy we pulled it off."

Henrik Sedin, who leads the Canucks with 60 points, had three assists in Saturday's 4-2 triumph over the Edmonton Oilers.