http://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/preview?id=2014020205
Wild seek offensive surge as they face Canadiens
By Dan Myers
WILD (7-5-0) at CANADIENS (9-4-1)
TV: NHLN-US, FS-N+, TVA, CITY
Season series: Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty scored three goals less than 11 minutes apart in a 6-2 win against the Minnesota Wild on Nov. 19, 2013, in the most recent game between these teams at Bell Centre. The Canadiens have won five of seven games played in Montreal, where the Wild haven't won since a 3-1 victory on Dec. 17, 2009.
Wild team scope: Minnesota was shut out for the first time this season Thursday in a 3-0 loss to the Ottawa Senators. With Zach Parise out indefinitely with a concussion, the Wild will need to manufacture ways to score goals in his absence. In that regard, coach Mike Yeo made some tweaks to his bottom-six during practice Friday, moving Kyle Brodziak up to the third line with Nino Niederreiter and Justin Fontaine and sliding Erik Haula to the fourth line with Stephane Veilleux and Ryan Carter. "We've been kind of teetering on the edge of being a really good team," Yeo said. "We can't be satisfied with playing well and outshooting a team and thinking that's enough. We have to find ways to win those games." Defenseman Keith Ballard, who has missed the past eight games with an illness, could return to the lineup Saturday. He has one assist in one game this season. Darcy Kuemper is expected to start in goal.
Canadiens team scope: Montreal's skaters got some extra work before practice Friday, working on a sagging power play that, at 7.9 percent, ranks 28th in the NHL. The Canadiens haven't scored a goal with the man-advantage since Oct. 18 against the Colorado Avalanche, a span of more than eight games. "Our power play needs to be a lot better," coach Michel Therrien said. "We need to move the puck a lot quicker, we need to make better decisions. Your power play needs to be a threat and right now, I'm not satisfied with the power play. We believe we have the personnel to be successful. We just need to be better." Forward Michael Bournival missed practice Friday and is out indefinitely after sustaining a shoulder injury Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres. Jiri Sekac skated on the third line with Brandon Prust and Lars Eller on Friday, and Therrien said he will play against the Wild.
