Kirby Dach is back in the lineup tonight for the Montreal Canadiens, and his return couldn’t come at a better time. The Habs are set to face the Minnesota Wild at the Bell Centre, and if history is any indication, they’ll need all the firepower they can muster.
The Wild have absolutely owned this matchup in recent years, going 18-1-0 against Montreal in their last 19 meetings. The Canadiens haven’t beaten Minnesota since 2019.
Dach, who had been sidelined since mid-November, steps right into a top-line role alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. He’ll take over for Alexandre Texier, who’s out day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
Before the injury, Dach was starting to find his rhythm, posting five goals and seven points in 15 games. His size, speed, and ability to drive play could be a major boost to a Canadiens offense that’s looking to stay aggressive against a stingy Minnesota squad.
In goal, Jakub Dobes gets the nod. He’s coming off a solid 6-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks last Monday and is now firmly locked in as the backup after Jacob Fowler was reassigned to the Laval Rocket. Dobes has shown flashes of poise and confidence in the crease, and tonight’s test against a Wild team that knows how to capitalize on limited chances will be another chance for him to prove he belongs at this level.
On the blue line, there’s a shakeup as well. Arber Xhekaj will sit this one out after playing in 17 straight games.
Jayden Struble draws in, bringing a more mobile, puck-moving element to the Canadiens' defensive corps. Struble has shown he can handle NHL pace, and his ability to transition quickly could help Montreal push the tempo and keep Minnesota on its heels.
The Wild didn’t waste any time reminding Montreal of their dominance. After a strong opening push by the Canadiens, Minnesota struck on just their second shot of the game.
Vladimir Tarasenko cashed in on the power play, giving the Wild an early 1-0 lead. It was a textbook finish from a player who’s made a career out of scoring in big moments.
For fans tuning in across Canada-especially those dealing with regional blackouts-there are still ways to catch the action. Whether you're watching from Ontario or out west, there are streaming options available so you don’t miss a minute of what could be a pivotal game for the Habs as they try to shake off a long-standing Wild hex.
Stay locked in for more updates and highlights as the night unfolds. The Canadiens are hoping that with Dach back in the mix and a few tweaks to the lineup, they can finally flip the script against Minnesota.