Minnesota Wild (10-7-0) at Philadelphia Flyers (7-8-2), 7 p.m. (ET)
(SportsNetwork.com) - The Minnesota Wild will try to extend their winning streak to a season-high five games when they visit the sliding Philadelphia Flyers for Thursday's clash at Wells Fargo Center.
The Wild, who last won four in a row from April 5-10 of last season, are on their second three-game winning streak of the season and the current one comes directly on the heels of an 0-4-0 stretch.
Minnesota had to grind out a 4-3 overtime victory Sunday against visiting Winnipeg despite holding a three-goal lead in the game. The Wild grabbed a 3-0 lead in the opening period and didn't score again until Marco Scandella's game-winner 61 seconds into overtime.
After the Wild blew their three-goal lead in the third period, Scandella fired a shot from the point that beat traffic in front and got past Michael Hutchinson. Scandella had missed the previous two games with an illness and notched his third tally of the season.
Minnesota forward Zach Parise had two goals in his return to the lineup after missing the previous five games with a concussion. Nino Niederreiter also lit the lamp.
"We were frustrated with the way we let them back in the game. Unfortunately, we gave them a point we shouldn't have," Parise said.
Niklas Backstrom was pulled after giving up three goals in the third for the Wild. Darcy Kuemper made three saves in relief.
Kuemper is expected to start tonight's game and has never faced the Flyers.
Minnesota is beginning a three-game road trip tonight and also visits Tampa Bay and Florida on the swing. The Wild are 3-6-0 on the road this season and just 2-7-0 all-time in Philadelphia.
Philly has claimed three of four and seven of the past 10 overall meetings in this series.
The Flyers will try to halt a three-game losing streak on a night when they honor two former players by enshrining both Eric Lindros and John LeClair in the franchise's Hall of Fame. Lindros and LeClair, who made up two-thirds of Philadelphia's famed "Legion of Doom" line along with Mikael Renberg, will be inducted in a pre-game ceremony.
Lindros won the Hart Trophy in 1995-96 and was an All-Star six times during his tenure with the Flyers. He is fifth on the club's all-time scoring list with 659 points, while LeClair is ranked fifth in goals (333) for the franchise.
The Flyers also will induct defenseman Eric Desjardins in the team Hall of Fame on Feb. 19 before they host the Buffalo Sabres.
Philadelphia dropped its third straight game Wednesday night in New York, as the Rangers and goaltender Cam Talbot posted a 2-0 shutout at Madison Square Garden.
Steve Mason was solid in the loss, making 32 saves for the Flyers, who had won three straight before the current slide.
The Flyers failed to be buoyed by the last-minute addition of captain Claude Giroux, who was originally ruled out with a lower-body injury suffered in practice on Monday. Giroux felt well enough in warmups to gain a slot in the lineup but couldn't coax any scoring from his club.
"The trainers did a great job of getting me ready for the game. But I can play better," Giroux admitted. "I have to find a way to get our game going. Any time you lose three in a row there's concern."
Flyers defenseman Michael Del Zotto left Wednesday's game with a lower-body injury and is questionable for this evening's home test. Del Zotto, a former Ranger who was making his return to Madison Square Garden, left in the third period and did not return. He is second among Philadelphia defenseman with eight points (2 goals, 6 assists) in 17 games.
Philly is playing the first of two straight at home tonight and also will welcome Columbus on Saturday. The Flyers are 5-2-2 at Wells Fargo Center this season.