Canadiens F Kirby Dach (foot) to return vs. Wild

Montreal Canadiens forward Kirby Dach will return from a two-month absence due to a broken foot in Tuesday's game against the visiting Minnesota Wild.

Dach, who sustained his injury on Nov. 15, skated on a line with captain Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield during the morning skate. Dach is taking the place of Alexandre Texier, who is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

"We just wanted to make sure we dotted all the I's and crossed all the T's and make sure that everything was ready to go," Dach said, "and we did all the preparation and got enough skates in to feel healthy and to feel good enough to play."

Dach, 24, recorded seven points (five goals, two assists) in 15 games this season.

He has totaled 128 points (48 goals, 80 assists) in 284 career games with the Chicago Blackhawks (2019-22) and Canadiens (2022-present). He was selected by the Blackhawks with the third overall pick of the 2019 NHL Draft.