Anaheim @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 17, 2019 ) Anaheim 3, Minnesota 0

Despite leading Anaheim to a fourth straight division title in 2015-16, Bruce Boudreau was fired when the Ducks flamed out in the postseason that year. Boudreau's former club hardly resembles the perennial power under his watch, but he's more focused on how to turn around the Minnesota Wild, who also are in disarray entering Tuesday night's matchup against visiting Anaheim.

Minnesota has dropped four in a row after getting steamrolled by visiting St. Louis 4-0 on Sunday, its eighth loss in nine games (1-5-3), but still is clinging to the second wild card in the Western Conference. "I know we keep saying we're still there, but we're still there. Like I try to tell the guys, don't be so damned defeatist in the room," Boudreau said. "Don't come off hanging your heads." The Ducks fired Boudreau's successor, Randy Carlyle, after they were outscored 37-8 during a wretched seven-game losing streak, but they have won two of three under interim coach Bob Murray. "Everybody knows our troubles with lack of scoring, but hopefully now they can start feeling good about themselves and we can pile it on," assistant coach Marty Wilford said after Sunday's 5-2 win over defending Stanley Cup champion Washington.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Anaheim), FS North, FS Wisconsin (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE DUCKS (23-27-9): Ryan Miller gave the patchwork netminding corps a lift in his first start since injuring his knee on Dec. 9, making 23 saves against the Capitals to surpass John Vanbiesbrouck for the most wins (375) by a U.S.-born goaltender. It's unclear if Anaheim will stay with Miller on Tuesday or go with rookie Kevin Boyle, who has turned aside 85 of 89 shots in his first three NHL appearances. Jakob Silfverberg has scored three times in three games since Murray dismissed Caryle, providing a needed spark for an offense that produced nine goals in nine games before Sunday's rout of Washington.

ABOUT THE WILD (27-26-6): Alex Stalock got the start against St. Louis to provide a breather for Devan Dubnyk, who was pierced for five goals in each of his last two starts, but Boudreau made it clear he's firmly behind his All-Star goaltender. "Just tell him he's our guy," Boudreau said of his chat with Dubynk. "Sometimes things go wrong but you’ve held this team together the whole time I’ve been here. ... We're just counting on you and he was very positive." Forward Eric Staal, the subject of trade rumors, has been held off the scoresheet in eight consecutive games and had one assist since the All-Star break.

OVERTIME

1. Ducks C Adam Henrique had two goals and an assist Sunday, matching his production from his previous 13 games combined.

2. The Wild paved the way to activate Pontus Aberg from injured reserve by send fellow F Kyle Rau to Iowa of the American Hockey League.

3. Anaheim has dropped six in a row on the road while Minnesota has lost five in a row at home.

PREDICTION: Ducks 3, Wild 2