Coyotes team scope: Arizona did not skate Sunday, traveling to Minnesota to begin a two-game road trip before the All-Star break. The Coyotes recalled forward Christian Thomas from Springfield of the American Hockey League. Thomas, who was acquired in a trade from the Montreal Canadiens on Dec. 15, has not skated in a game with the Coyotes but has three goals and seven points in 15 games with Springfield. He has one goal and three points in 26 career NHL games with the Canadiens and New York Rangers, including two assists in five games with Montreal earlier this season. Goaltender Louis Domingue is expected to make his fourth straight start. He has allowed two goals or fewer in each of the past three games.
Wild team scope: Minnesota plays its final game before the All-Star break having lost six of its past seven games. Coupled with the Colorado Avalanche's victory over the Dallas Stars on Saturday, the Wild lost their grip on the top wild-card spot in the Western Conference when they lost 4-3 to the San Jose Sharks on Saturday. Minnesota tries to end a four-game losing streak at Xcel Energy Center. "We have a chance to pick up some momentum with a real strong showing," coach Mike Yeo said. "We want to get back to being a good home team. That's something we pride ourselves on and something that's gotten away from us so we have to get back to it." Goaltender Devan Dubnyk, who has backed up Darcy Kuemper the past two games, is expected to start.
