Wild vying to sweep road trip in finale vs. Bruins

The Wild has a chance to make a good trip even better by beating the Bruins, who have won their last four games. Alex Stalock will be in goal.

January 8, 2019 at 12:52PM
Montreal Canadiens left wing Nicolas Deslauriers (20) misses a check against Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin (25) during first-period NHL hockey game action Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Montreal. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
Montreal Canadiens left wing Nicolas Deslauriers (20) misses a check against Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin (25) during first-period NHL hockey game action Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Montreal. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP) (Brian Wicker — Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

BOSTON – With three wins already in tow, this is undoubtedly a successful road trip for the Wild.

But the team has a chance to make it even more meaningful if it closes it out with a fourth straight victory when it takes on the Bruins Tuesday in Boston.

(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Wild extended its win streak to three games Monday in Montreal when it held on for a 1-0 decision after securing a third-period goal from winger Mikael Granlund.

"I hope they think that if they got a lead in the third that they can shut it down," coach Bruce Boudreau said. "That's what confidence does for you. It's always different every game, but that's what we've had to do for three straight games. Hopefully it can continue one more time."

What the Wild's lineup will look like to face the Bruins is unclear.

Center Eric Fehr left Monday's game early in the first period after he smacked his head on the boards in front of the Wild's bench following a late shoulder check from the Canadiens' Kenny Agostino.

Boudreau did not have an update on Fehr after the game, and the Wild did not skate Tuesday morning in Boston.

Backup goalie Alex Stalock is primed to get the start after No.1 Devan Dubnyk posted a 32-save shutout Monday.

This would be Stalock's first start since Dec.6, although he has made two relief appearances since that game. Stalock is 0-0-1 with a .946 save percentage and 1.52 goals-against average in two career contests against Boston.

"Looking forward to it," Stalock said.

Projected lineup:

Jordan Greenway-Eric Staal-Mikael Granlund

Zach Parise-Charlie Coyle-Luke Kunin

Jason Zucker-Mikko Koivu-Nino Niederreiter

Marcus Foligno-Eric Fehr-J.T. Brown

Ryan Suter-Jared Spurgeon

Jonas Brodin-Greg Pateryn

Nick Seeler-Nate Prosser

Alex Stalock

Key numbers:

4: Consecutive road wins for the Wild.

4-2: How the Wild has fared in the second game of a back-to-back.

11: Points for Granlund in his past 12 games.

36: Career points for center Eric Staal in 47 games vs. the Bruins.

4: Straight wins for the Bruins.

About the Bruins:

Boston currently occupies the third seed in the Atlantic Division at 24-14-4. The team is in the midst of a four-game win streak and is 7-3 in its last 10 games. The Bruins are led offensively by winger David Pastrnak; he has a team-high 25 goals and 52 points. Winger Brad Marchand is another offensive leader, with 15 goals and 44 points. Boston is an impressive 15-5 at TD Garden this season.

about the writer

about the writer

Sarah McLellan

Minnesota Wild and NHL

Sarah McLellan covers the Wild and NHL. Before joining the Minnesota Star Tribune in November 2017, she spent five years covering the Coyotes for The Arizona Republic.

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