From the Rink: Spurgeon set to return for Wild

CHICAGO -- Defenseman Jared Spurgeon is expected to return to the lineup tonight for the Wild when it plays the second half of back-to-back games against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center.
Spurgeon, who has missed the past nine games with a groin injury, is not expected to play with his previous defensive partner, however -- at least not to start the game.
Wild coach Bruce Boudreau said Sunday morning that he did not want to break up the partnership formed by Ryan Suter and Matt Dumba on Minnesota's top pairing, largely because he feels Dumba has become a better player with Suter at his side.

Boudreau also wants to ease Spurgeon back into the lineup, especially with a full slate of games on tap before Christmas: the Wild begins a four-game road trip Sunday evening and will play in Ottawa, South Florida and Tampa before week's end.
"I think mentally, for the players, it will be a big boost," Boudreau said. "We'll see. He hasn't played for awhile, so I'm not expecting him to play 30 minutes. He's always been a leader and an inspirational guy for our team so I hope he comes and he is that tonight."
To begin the game, Spurgeon will be partnered with Jonas Brodin on the second pairing, taking the place of Ryan Murphy, who was
reassigned
to Iowa on Saturday following the Wild's 3-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.
Putting Brodin and Spurgeon together also allows Boudreau the option of a second quality defensive pairing to play against a Chicago lineup with plenty of offensive firepower up front.
Alex Stalock will get the start between the posts for Minnesota. Stalock made 26 saves in the game Saturday, but with Devan Dubnyk still nursing a lower-body injury, Stalock is expected to carry the load this week.
Here are the projected lineups;
WILD
Nino Niederreiter - Eric Staal - Mikael Granlund
Jason Zucker - Mikko Koivu - Charlie Coyle
Joel Eriksson Ek - Matt Cullen - Chris Stewart
Tyler Ennis - Daniel Winnik - Zack Mitchell
Ryan Suter - Matt Dumba
Jonas Brodin - Jared Spurgeon
Mike Reilly - Nate Prosser
Alex Stalock
Steve Michalek
BLACKHAWKS
Brandon Saad - Jonathan Toews - Alex DeBrincat
Nick Schmaltz - Artem Anisimov - Patrick Kane
Patrick Sharp - Vince Hinostroza - Ryan Hartman
Lance Bouma - Tommy Wingels - John Hayden
Duncan Keith - Jordan Oesterle
Gustav Forsling - Connor Murphy
Michal Kempny - Brent Seabrook
Corey Crawford
Anton Forsberg