Following a tough start to their playoff series against the Washington Capitals, the Montreal Canadiens return to the Bell Centre for Game 3, hoping to energize their performance with the support of their passionate fans. Mike Matheson, a key player for the Canadiens, recalls the electrifying atmosphere of playoff hockey in Montreal and expects the crowd to exceed his high expectations.

Despite losing the first two games in Washington, the Canadiens have a strong home record this season, and Matheson believes the fans will play a crucial role in helping his team regain momentum. Head Coach Martin St. Louis emphasizes the need for more quality minutes on the ice to compete effectively against the Capitals, who have proven to be formidable opponents. The Canadiens aim to capitalize on their home ice advantage and make a statement in front of their loyal supporters.

Justin Brazeau netted his inaugural goal as a Minnesota Wild player during Saturday's game against the Buffalo Sabres, contributing to a decisive 4-1 victory. The 6-foot-6 forward scored off a deflected shot from teammate Brendan Gaunce while stationed in front of the net. This moment marked a significant milestone for Brazeau, who had traveled across the continent to join Minnesota after a trade from the Boston Bruins. Despite a challenging transition, Brazeau expressed his satisfaction with finally breaking his scoring drought after eight games with the Wild, demonstrating his potential value as the playoffs approach.

Wild head coach John Hynes praised Brazeau for his physical presence and responsible play in the offensive zone, indicating that the team relies on him to contribute consistently. The acquisition of Brazeau, alongside the departure of forwards Marat Khusnutdinov and Jakub Lauko, reflects Minnesota's strategy to bolster their lineup ahead of the postseason. With Brazeau's confidence increasing, he is poised to become an integral part of the team's playoff push.

The Minnesota Wild have announced roster changes ahead of their upcoming game against the Nashville Predators. Superstar Kirill Kaprizov has been placed on Long-Term Injury Reserve (LTIR) due to a lower-body injury sustained on December 23, although he is eligible to return soon. Marcus Johansson has been placed on injured reserve following a concussion. In a move to strengthen their lineup, the Wild recalled Brendan Gaunce, Liam Ohgren, and Devin Shore while sending Ben Jones to Iowa.

Despite the injury setbacks, there is optimism as Brock Faber, Jared Spurgeon, and Jakub Lauko practiced on Friday, with Lauko expected to play on Saturday. Kaprizov's absence is significant, having recorded 23 goals and 27 assists in 34 games this season. The Wild will aim to secure a win against the Predators, bolstered by the recent call-ups.

The Iowa Wild celebrated their inaugural victory of the 2024-25 season with a 3-2 win against the Chicago Wolves at Allstate Arena. Ryan Sandelin was the star, scoring two goals, while Kyle Masters contributed his first AHL goal. Jesper Wallstedt made 16 saves to secure the win.

After taking an early lead, the Wild maintained control until the Wolves rallied with two shorthanded goals. However, Masters' late goal sealed the match for Iowa, who outshot Chicago 26-18.

The Iowa Wild faced a tough defeat against the Manitoba Moose, losing 6-4 in their season opener at Wells Fargo Arena. Brendan Gaunce stood out for Iowa, contributing a goal and two assists.

Despite an early goal from Ben King for Manitoba, the Wild managed to tie the game multiple times, showcasing a competitive back-and-forth match. However, the Moose ultimately secured the win with a decisive goal from Simon Lundmark in the third period.