WILD GAMEDAY
vs. Montreal Canadiens, Xcel Energy Center, 7 p.m. today
TV; radio: BSN Extra; 100.3 FM
Stats and analytics: Tap here.
For the fans: The NHL's roster freeze is in effect through midnight on Dec. 28. Minus a few exceptions, teams are prohibited from trades, waivers and loans.
Sarah McLellan's preview:
Late addition: Jake Lucchini was called up from Iowa this afternoon under emergency conditions. The 28-year-old forward has nine goals for Iowa; he played in 11 games last season for the Ottawa Senators and scored a goal. He was called up because Ryan Hartman (upper body) was a late scratch today, but was a healthy scratch himself. Daemon Hunt slotted in as the Wild used seven defensemen.
Opening bell: The Wild are back in action after a signature win at Boston on Tuesday, and they've won four straight on home ice. D Jared Spurgeon, who's missed the past four games due to injury, won't play but could return Saturday against Boston. Filip Gustavsson will start in goal for the Wild.
Watch him: LW Kirill Kaprizov is coming off his first two-goal game of the season. Both plays were indicative of Kaprizov's strengths: his first tally was a result of him being around the net to capitalize on a deflected puck, and his game-winner in overtime vs. the Bruins was an impressive one-timer.