The Canadiens and Wild are set to clash for the first of two meetings this season, with the rematch scheduled for February 2 in Minnesota. And if recent history is any indication, Montreal has its work cut out.
The Wild have absolutely owned this matchup over the past few years, boasting an 18-1-0 record in their last 19 games against the Habs. That includes a current nine-game win streak dating back to October 2019, during which Minnesota has outscored Montreal 33-12.
That’s not just dominance - that’s a stranglehold.
But there’s a wrinkle in tonight’s game that could shake things up: the return of Kirby Dach.
After missing time with a fractured foot, Dach is expected to suit up tonight, and he’s slotted into a top-line role alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. That’s a trio with some history - and some real potential.
“There’s some familiarity there,” Dach said after the morning skate. “I’ve played with them in the past.
The team’s rolling right now. I just want to step in, do what I can, and help the team keep winning.”
It’s a smart move by head coach Martin St. Louis, who confirmed yesterday that Dach was ready to return.
Before his injury, the 23-year-old forward had found a groove, scoring four goals in his last six games. He wasn’t just producing - he was dictating play.
“I felt like I was hitting my stride,” Dach said. “Controlling the game, controlling the pace, getting a lot of puck touches. I’m just trying to get back to that and find it again tonight.”
That kind of self-awareness - and confidence - is exactly what the Canadiens need as they try to snap their losing skid against Minnesota. Dach’s size and vision make him a natural fit between two high-skill players like Suzuki and Caufield.
He knows his role: win battles down low, retrieve pucks, and let his linemates do what they do best. But he’s not just a passenger on that line - when he’s on, he’s driving play right alongside them.
While Dach’s return is the headline, there’s another storyline brewing on the blue line. Jayden Struble and Arber Xhekaj - close friends off the ice - are in a quiet battle for the sixth spot on defense. It’s a tough situation, but one both players are handling with maturity.
“It’s not hard,” Struble said. “It is what it is.
If he’s in, we’re still joking around. If I’m in, it’s the same way.
It doesn’t affect us at all.”
Struble has appeared in 36 games this season, posting six assists and a minus-2 rating. But stats only tell part of the story. His focus is on the little things - the kind of details that keep a defenseman in the lineup.
“When I’m playing my best, I think I’m killing a lot of plays, getting the puck out of the D zone,” he said. “That’s what I need to bring, not just for myself, but to help the team.
Kill plays. Be hard on the ice.”
It’s the kind of mindset that coaches love - and one that could make the difference in a tight lineup race.
As the puck drops tonight, the Canadiens aren’t just looking to break a losing streak against Minnesota - they’re looking to reestablish their identity. With Dach back in the fold and internal competition heating up, this team has a chance to take a step forward. But they’ll have to earn it against a Wild squad that’s had their number for years.