Wild's Staal not on road trip after death in family

Minnesota Wild forward Eric Staal won't join the club on its upcoming road trip due to a death in his family, the team announced Thursday.

The Wild begin a three-game stint in California against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday before playing the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday and the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday.

Staal, 35, ranks second on the Wild in points (47) and third in goals (19) through 66 games this season. The veteran pivot tallied five points over his previous five contests.

Minnesota has won six of its last eight outings and sits one point shy of a Western Conference wild-card berth entering Thursday's action.