Music: {allcanada} MAPLE LEAFS (8-12-5) at WILD (12-7-4)

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

{allcanada} MAPLE LEAFS (8-12-5) at WILD (12-7-4)

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Thursday, December 3, 2015

8:00 PM ET

MAPLE LEAFS (8-12-5) at WILD (12-7-4)

TV: TSN4, FS-N, FS-WI

Season series: The Minnesota Wild went 2-0-0 against the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, including a 3-1 victory at Xcel Energy Center on Jan. 2. Minnesota's Thomas Vanek had a goal and three points. Defenseman Jake Gardiner, a native of Minnetonka, Minn., had a goal for the Leafs.

Maple Leafs team scope: Toronto announced that goaltender Jonathan Bernier will be loaned to Toronto of the American Hockey League for a conditioning stint. Bernier is 0-8-1 this season, playing two games in the month of November. Goaltender James Reimer was the backup to rookie Garret Sparks in a 6-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday and should get the start after missing the previous two games with an undisclosed injury. "I think it's important [to play again in 24 hours] after you play the way we did," Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock told the team's website. "We lose games, but we don't lose like that. We have to get regrouped quick and get ready to go."

Wild team scope: Minnesota is expecting another tight-checking game, similar to the one it played in a 2-1 win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday. "Just looking at the video, they're playing a real stingy defensive game," coach Mike Yeo said. "Just trying to protect and not give up much. With that, they're looking for opportunities to counter punch. We're going to have to be prepared." The Wild recalled defenseman Mike Reilly from Iowa of the American Hockey League, but he is not expected to play. To make room, Minnesota reassigned defenseman Christian Folin to Iowa. Goaltender Devan Dubnyk will get the start.

Team Stats