Game Preview: Wild (5-7-2) @ Canadiens (7-8-1)

MONTREAL - The Canadiens will be trying to keep the good times rolling on Thursday night at the Bell Centre when they welcome the Minnesota Wild to town.

Claude Julien's troops will be looking for a fourth consecutive win, which would be the sixth of their last seven contests. If they win on Thursday, they will improve their record to .500 for the first time since October 7.
The two teams faced off one week ago to the day at the Xcel Energy Center and the hosts defeated Montreal 6-3. Matt Cullen, Mikko Koivu, Mikael Granlund and Matt Dumba all collected a pair of points in the win. Brendan Gallagher was tops for the Habs with two markers.

Unlike last Thursday, the Habs will be going with Charlie Lindgren against the Wild this time around. The 23-year-old goalie will be getting his third straight start after beating the Blackhawks and the Golden Knights on Sunday and Tuesday, respectively.

Both Jonathan Drouin and Andrew Shaw were given therapy days on Wednesday, but were back on the ice for Thursday morning's optional skate. Shaw confirmed he'd be in the lineup on Thursday night, but before the game, the Canadiens announced that both Drouin and Shea Weber were day-to-day and would not suit up against the WIld.
For his part, Byron Froese will make his Habs debut.
Bruce Boudreau's squad is arriving in Montreal after going to work on Wednesday night at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. The visitors went down 4-2 at the hands of the Maple Leafs, making it Minnesota's third straight defeat.
The Wild have not yet announced their starting goalie for Thursday night in Montreal. Devan Dubnyk started the game against the Leafs and his backup, Alex Stalock, had returned to Minnesota for the birth of his second child. Niklas Svedberg was called up from the American Hockey League and could be pressed into duty against the Canadiens.
The game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start and will be aired on TSN2 and RDS on TV, and on the radio on TSN 690 and 98,5 fm.