Game day: Maple Leafs at Minnesota Wild

XCEL ENERGY CENTER PUCK DROP: 8 p.m. TV: Sportsnet RADIO: TSN 1050 KEY PLAYERS Marner/Zucker Here are a couple of players who could use a bounce or two. Minnesota’s Jason Zucker was getting plenty of them in early November, when he scored eight times in five games, including twice in a 4-2 loss to the Leafs that started his run. The goals haven’t completely dried up — Zucker leads the Wild with 14 — but he has scored just three times in 12 games since his streak. Mitch

Marner, meanwhile, scored on opening night and has added just one goal in the 31 games since. NEED TO KNOW Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk left Tuesday’s game, a 2-1 shootout win over Calgary, with a lower-body injury and is not expected to play against the Leafs. It will be a significant loss for the Wild if he misses multiple games. Dubnyk has gone 8-2-1 since Nov. 9, with a 2.44 goalsagainst average, and might be the main reason the Wild have moved into playoff contention after a 5-7-1 start. Dubnyk, who had an MRI performed Wednesday, told Minnesota coach Bruce Boudreau he doesn’t think his injury is serious . . . Backup

Alex Stalock replaced Dunyk against Calgary and should start against Toronto. He was supposed to face the Leafs at the ACC on Nob. 8 but his wife, Felicia, went into labour with the couple’s first child . . . Minnesota has used Connor Beaupre, son of former NHLer Don Beaupre, as a practice goalie during injury emergencies. UP NEXT Friday, at Detroit, 7:30 p.m. Mark Zwolinski