Canadiens @ Wild: Game thread, rosters, lines, and how to watch

Montreal Canadiens @ Minnesota Wild

How to watch

Start time: 8:00 PM EST / 5:00 PM PST
In the Canadiens region: TSN2, TSN Direct (English), RDS, RDS Direct (French)
In the Wild region: FOX Sports North, FOX Sports Wisconsin
Elsewhere: NHL.tv/Rogers NHL Live

Things are looking up for Canadiens.

After a rough stretch in November, the Canadiens have bounced back in recent performances, having won three straight all while playing (mostly) good hockey in each matchup, with the most recent win coming against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Carey Price has been vital for the Habs recently, and his play has elevated the team — and held them in their last matchup before Tomas Tatar netted a late game-winner in Chicago. He gets a reprieve after a handful of consecutive starts, however, handing the reins over to Antti Niemi tonight.

The Wild are next up, a team that went through a similar November to the Canadiens, and recently were thrashed 7-2 at the hands of Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers. Despite that, teams often come back stronger after a blowout loss, so the Wild should prove to be a challenge for Montreal. Led by a core of Eric Staal, Ryan Suter and a resurgent Zach Parise, the experience is there in order to give the Habs all they can handle.

For Montreal, the key is to avoid what happened in Chicago after getting out to a two-goal lead, especially against a strong forechecking team like the Wild. With the momentum the Habs have right now, seeing Jonathan Drouin and Max Domi continue their strong play will be crucial tonight in order to gain two points against a tough Western opponent.

Montreal Canadiens projected lineup

Forwards

Defencemen

Goaltenders

Minnesota Wild projected lineup

Forwards

Defencemen

Goaltenders