Montreal @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 9, 2017 ) Minnesota 3, Montreal 0

The Minnesota Wild sustained the worst result of their season after falling for the fifth time in six outings to conclude a Western Canadian road trip. The Wild look to get back on track Tuesday when they open a four-game homestand versus the Montreal Canadiens, against whom they have won seven straight encounters.

"It's a test of character now. You either bounce back or you start blaming everybody else. We've got to look at ourselves," Minnesota coach Bruce Boudreau told reporters. The view hasn't been favorable for Devan Dubnyk, who dropped his fourth decision in five outings after yielding three goals on six shots before being relieved in Friday's 7-2 setback in Edmonton - although he owns a 7-1-1 mark with one shutout, a 2.21 goals-against average and .929 save percentage in nine career encounters with the Canadiens. Carey Price likely will provide the opposition as the former Hart and Vezina Trophy winner has proven to be a workhorse by starting seven games in a row and 11 of the last 12 for Montreal, which has won three in a row heading into the finale of its three-game road trip. Price, who is 4-6-0, 3.21, .883 in 10 career meetings against Minnesota, turned aside 37 shots and foiled seven of eight power plays in Sunday's 3-2 victory versus Chicago.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, TSN2, RDS (Montreal), FS North, FS Wisconsin (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (15-10-5): Max Domi added to his team-leading totals by scoring his third goal in three contests against the Blackhawks. Fellow offseason acquisition Tomas Tatar netted the go-ahead tally on a deflection with 1:17 remaining in the third period to extend his point streak to three games and give him 12 goals, two shy of the 23-year-old Domi. Fellow forward Brendan Gallagher, who has 13 goals, scored twice in a 6-3 loss to Minnesota on Nov. 2, 2017.

ABOUT THE WILD (15-12-2): Boudreau expressed optimism toward the potential return of captain Mikko Koivu, noting that the versatile two-way center could return to action during the team's homestand. "That's the way we look at it," Boudreau said of Koivu, who missed Minnesota's game against the Oilers with a lower-body injury. "It's nowhere near anything we thought. He's working out hard right now. We'll see how he goes (Tuesday)." Koivu is part of a three-way tie for the team lead in assists (17) with fellow center Mikael Granlund, who set up three goals in last season's series versus Montreal to boost his point total to 11 (two goals, nine assists) in 10 career contests and defenseman Ryan Suter.

OVERTIME

1. Montreal D Shea Weber has recorded 25 points (six goals, 19 assists) in 43 career games against Minnesota.

2. Wild C Eric Staal has registered 43 points (21 goals, 22 assists) in 46 career contests versus the Canadiens.

3. Montreal D Jeff Petry has answered a five-game point drought with four (two goals, two assists) in his last four outings.

PREDICTION: Wild 3, Canadiens 1