Hall, who was traded to Arizona by the New Jersey Devils on Monday, assisted on the game-winning goal in his Coyotes debut, a 3-2 win against the San Jose Sharks at the SAP Center on Tuesday. Hall won Hart Trophy as NHL most valuable player in 2018. Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk, who has been dealing with off-ice issues related to his wife's health, is expected to play his first game since Nov. 16. After being out for 14 games, Dubnyk was the backup for the Wild's 3-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday.
Players to watch
Wild forward Eric Staal has four goals and two assists during a four-game point streak. He has 20 points (14 goals, six assists) in 25 career games against the Coyotes. Coyotes forward Vinnie Hinostroza has five assists in his past three games.
They said it
"It's fun to be here and feel back a part of it. We want to go and get one (a win). That's the best part of being around everything, the winning." -- Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk "I'm joining a group that's playing well and, I don't want to speak for everybody else, but hopefully there's another level we can get to while holding the top spot that we have in the standings. There's a great opportunity in front of us." --Coyotes forward Taylor Hall on his first-place team
Spurgeon, who has missed the past seven games because of a broken hand, took part in the morning skate and will be a game-time decision, according to coach Bruce Boudreau. … Zucker is week to week. … Demers is close to returning, according to coach Rick Tocchet.
Stat pack
The Wild have lost two straight and are 2-3-1 in their past six games. … Boudreau (556 wins) needs one victory to pass Marc Crawford for sole possession of 22nd place on the NHL all-time coaching list. … Hall has 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in 23 games against the Wild. … The Coyotes are 1-3 in their past four home games and 2-4-1 in their past seven.
