Time: 17 Dec 2009 at 7:00 PM ET
League: NHL – United States of America

Last 10 matches: Minnesota 8-2-0, Montreal 3-5-2.
Given the near-invincibility of the Penguins and Thrashers when they score first, what the Wild have done in recent weeks is truly remarkable. They’ve allowed the game’s first goal in 12 of their last 14 games, but are 9-3-2 in that stretch. They’ve played in an NHL-leading 22 one-goal games, are 13-6-3 for the League lead in one-goal wins as well.One piece of good news coming out of the practice rink is how Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov has progressed ahead of schedule. After suffering cut tendons in his ankle during the first game of the season, a post-Olympic return seemed optimistic. He’s been practicing with the team and a late-December comeback doesn’t look so far-fetched.

Defenseman Paul Mara (upper body) was questionable for New Jersey and didn’t play. Wild forward Andrew Ebbett (concussion) remains a possibility to crack the lineup either in Montreal or Ottawa. Goalie Josh Harding (flu) stayed home Tuesday to rest and avoid infecting the team. Owen Nolan (leg) remains day-to-day while Petr Sykora (concussion) continues to skate on his own and ramp up his off-ice workouts.
Martin Havlat added an assist against the Blue Jackets, which means he now has a hand in six of the Wild’s last seven goals. Habs forward Michael Cammalleri has eight points in his last seven games.
in that one was how the Habs managed to stop the League’s best power play 10 times and make Carey Price’s solid performance stand in a 2-1 win in St. Paul. That power play is part of history, as Minnesota is strictly mid-pack with a man up these days, going 0 for their last 19 chances, but going 3-2-0 in that stretch.

Big Story Just as it’s been with a lot of other teams, the Wild are moving up when a lot of teams are either keeping their heads above water or trying not to go into a free fall. The Habs went into Thursday’s action losers of four in a row while the Wild righted themselves quickly at home after getting edged out in Vancouver.

One side story is the return of Guillaume Latendresse to the Bell Centre, 10 games after being traded from the Canadiens to the Wild for Benoit Pouliot. The 22-year-old defenseman has found a niche in Minnesota, scoring three goals along with some big hits. Live score and results will be available soon.. stay with us.