Wild Game Day number 32 Wild Record (17-9-6 40 pts) Home Record (12-4-1)
Opponent: Montreal Canadiens (20-11-3 43 pts) Road Record (9-5-1)
Site: Xcel Energy Center, St Paul, Minnesota
Time: 7:00PM CT
TV: NBC Sports Network (NBCSN)
Last Season Results: 11/8 Wild 1 @ Canadiens 4 12/3 Canadiens 1 @ Wild 2
The Wild look to avenge the egg they laid yesterday against Stars. The good news is they are catching the Canadiens at a good time as they are struggling, after their franchise best start (9-0-0). Carey Price, the NHL's best goalie, and Brendan Gallagher, their heart and soul leader, are both out. The Canadiens recent record (11-11-3) is a direct result of their absence.
The teams split last season's two meetings with the home team winning each game.
Darcy Kuemper will be in net for the Wild and the Canadiens will have Mike Condon between the pipes. One good sign from last night's loss, for the Wild, was the fact that Nino Niederreiter found the score sheet with a goal and an assist. Erik Haula will make his return to the Wild lineup, after sitting the last 3, as a healthy scratch. Tonight Chris Porter finds himself the odd man out.
Expect the Wild to have a more spirited effort in front of the home faithful. The Canadiens are a very good team even without a few of their best players, and they are very well coached. Michel Therrien will have his team ready after the last two subpar performances, both resulting in Therrien pulling his starting goalie.
Let's Play Hockey!