wild gameday

6 P.M. at Montreal • FSN-Plus, 100.3-FM

Preview: The banged-up Wild will be trying to stop its second two-game losing streak of the season after being shut out Thursday in Ottawa. It has scored one goal in the past two games and equally as concerning has allowed 19 goals in the past six (3.2 per game). The Canadiens, who rank 27th with 2.07 goals per game, haven't won a game in regulation since Oct. 25. They are 2-3-1 in their past six (two shootout wins) and in their past two home games were outscored 11-2 by Calgary and Chicago. The Wild was trounced 6-2 at Montreal last season. … A ceremony to retire Guy Lapointe's number will precede the game.

Players to watch: Wild G Darcy Kuemper will be making his first road start since unraveling during a five-goal third period at the Rangers on Oct. 27. LW Thomas Vanek will be playing his first game against the Canadiens; he was traded to them last March and advanced to the conference finals, where he was demoted to the fourth line and nearly scratched. Vanek has one goal in 12 games with the Wild. Canadiens F's Max Pacioretty and Tomas Plekanec lead Montreal with five goals each.

Injuries: Wild LW Zach Parise (concussion, D Jared Spurgeon (shoulder) and LW Matt Cooke (lower body) are out. LW Michael Bournival (shoulder) is day-to-day for Montreal.

MICHAEL RUSSO