At the Rink: Bruins at Wild

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Boston Bruins forward David Krejci could return to the lineup Wednesday as the Bruins play on the second half of back-to-back games against the Minnesota Wild (8 p.m. ET, NBCSN).

Krejci hasn't played since Nov. 18; the Bruins have gone 3-7-1 in his absence. He has three goals and seven assists in 11 games this season.

"Been trying to stay positive throughout whole process," Krejci said, according to the Bruins website. "This is just another step forward. Got to wait and see."

He said he's being cautious to make sure once he does return to the lineup, he's able to stay there.

"I've worked hard to get back where I am," he said. "I don't want to any setbacks anymore. Want to keep playing from now on until the end of the season."

Krejci was one of a handful of players from each team to take the ice, as the Bruins and Wild each played games in other cities Tuesday.

Minnesota has a question mark in net for Wednesday. Darcy Kuemper and Niklas Backstrom each were ill following Minnesota's loss Tuesday to the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center. Kuemper was expected to get the start but was a late scratch with a stomach ailment. Backstrom filled in but battled through a similar illness.

John Curry, who started Tuesday for the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League, was removed after two periods and recalled by Minnesota on Wednesday. He will be in St. Paul in plenty of time for the game against the Bruins.

The Wild did not skate Wednesday, but during a radio interview with KFAN radio in the Twin Cities, Wild coach Mike Yeo said Backstrom was starting to feel better late Tuesday night and should be ready to face the Bruins.

"Unless he takes a turn for the worse, I expect [Backstrom] will start," Yeo said.

Whether Kuemper will be available in a backup role is unknown, but Curry's recall at least provides the Wild with insurance in case he can't dress.

Defenseman Jared Spurgeon skated on his own as he attempts to return from illness. There is a good chance Spurgeon could rejoin the lineup Wednesday after missing the past two games.

Here are the projected lineups:

BRUINS

Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - Reilly Smith

Matt Fraser - Carl Soderberg - Loui Eriksson

Milan Lucic - Chris Kelly - Craig Cunningham

Daniel Paille - Gregory Campbell - Seth Griffith

Zdeno Chara - Dougie Hamilton

Joe Morrow - Dennis Seidenberg

Torey Krug - Kevan Miller

Niklas Svedberg

Tuukka Rask

Scratched: Matt Bartkowski, Zach Trotman

Injured: Adam McQuaid (broken thumb), David Krejci (groin)

WILD

Zach Parise - Mikael Granlund - Thomas Vanek

Jason Zucker - Mikko Koivu - Jason Pominville

Nino Niederreiter - Charlie Coyle - Justin Fontaine

Brett Sutter - Kyle Brodziak - Erik Haula

Ryan Suter - Jonas Brodin

Marco Scandella - Jared Spurgeon

Justin Falk - Nate Prosser

Niklas Backstrom

Darcy Kuemper

Scratched: Christian Folin, Stu Bickel, John Curry

Injured: Matt Cooke (lower body), Ryan Carter (upper body), Keith Ballard (head/face)

Status report: A decision on Krejci wouldn't be made until later Wednesday. If he plays, the Bruins will need to make a roster move as Krejci is on injured reserve. … Cooke, who has been out since Oct. 28, skated again Wednesday and could play as soon as Saturday against the Nashville Predators.

Who's hot: Marchand is averaging a point per game in his past seven games; he has three goals and four assists in that span. … Parise has seven goals and six assists in 13 games since returning from a concussion Nov. 16.