6 p.m. vs. Montreal • Xcel Energy Center • FSN, 100.3-FM
Preview: The Wild, which lost 4-1 in Montreal on Nov. 8, is 6-2-1 in its past nine games. It opened a four-game homestand Saturday, when it blew a one-goal lead late before losing in a shootout to St. Louis. The Canadiens are 1-2-1 in their past four, including two losses to Buffalo, one in a shootout.
Players to watch: Darcy Kuemper, pulled in his past two home starts, will be in goal for the Wild. RW Jason Pominville has one goal in the past 16 games, and that came at Montreal. LW Zach Parise, who scored his 250th career goal Saturday, has five goals and eight points in seven games since returning from a concussion. LW Nino Niederreiter has seven goals in the past nine games. D Christian Folin has been recalled from AHL Iowa. … C Tomas Plekanec will pass Vincent Damphousse for 26th on the Canadiens' all-time list with his next goal (185). G Carey Price is 14-5-1 with a 2.37 goals-against average, .921 save percentage and two shutouts.
Numbers: The Wild's penalty kill ranks second in the NHL (88.7 percent). … The Wild has been outshot only twice this season (761-593 shot advantage).
Injuries: Wild D Ryan Suter (illness) didn't practice Tuesday but is expected to play. LW Matt Cooke (hip flexor) is out. Canadiens LW Michael Bournival (shoulder) is out.
MICHAEL RUSSO
