MIN@MTL: What you need to know
MONTREAL — The Canadiens (3-3-0) look to wrap up their homestand on a high note when they welcome the Wild (1-3-1) to the Bell Centre tonight.
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Here’s what you need to know heading into the game:
1. The Habs’ two-game winning streak was snapped on Saturday night with a 5-2 loss to the Stars. Joe Pavelski’s hat-trick performance was the difference for the visitors. Mike Hoffman and Arber Xhekaj scored for Montreal, while Jake Allen surrendered five goals on 30 shots. Xhekaj’s goal was his first in the NHL. He also collected an assist on Hoffman’s tally to record the first multi-point game of his career.
Video: MTL Recap: Xhekaj nets first career goal in 5-2 loss
2. Captain Nick Suzuki looks to extend his point streak to five consecutive games tonight. He boasts a team-leading seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) thus far this season, two points clear of Cole Caufield. Unfortunately, rookie Juraj Slafkovsky didn’t practice on Monday. He was slated to undergo medical tests related to the upper-body injury that forced him to miss the Dallas game. We could get an update on Slafkovsky’s condition from head coach Martin St-Louis after the morning skate.
Video: DAL@MTL: Xhekaj whips in a shot from deep for first
3. The Wild were most recently in action on Saturday night when they dropped a 4-3 overtime decision to the Bruins at TD Garden. Taylor Hall scored a power-play goal with 10.1 seconds left in overtime to give Boston the victory. Jared Spurgeon had a goal and an assist, and Marc-André Fleury made 38 saves for Minnesota. Mats Zuccarello had two assists to extend his season-opening point streak to five games. Zuccarello leads the Wild in scoring with 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists), while Kirill Kaprizov ranks second with eight points (4 goals, 4 assists).
4. The Bell Centre will be decorated for an early Halloween celebration and fans are invited to wear their favorite costumes to mark the occasion. Tricolore Sports gift cards will be given to some of the spectators sporting the best costumes. It’s also a University Night, presented by Desjardins. Students from participating universities can purchase tickets in the 400-level for only $49 for all Monday and Tuesday home games Each ticket includes a free beverage. Desjardins members will also get to enjoy a free bag of popcorn.
5. Puck drop is 7:00 p.m. ET. You can watch the game on TV on TSN2, Bally Sports North, Bally Sports Wisconsin and RDS, and listen on the radio on TSN 690 and 98,5 fm. Click here to purchase tickets to the game.
