MONTREAL Nick Seeler has gotten quite familiar with NHL press boxes the past couple of weeks. Thats what happens when you dont play. As the Wild have stumbled to a 1-5-0 start, Seeler has been relegated to watching from above as Carson Soucy has taken his minutes on the blue line.

Its been really difficult, said Seeler, a 26-year-old from Eden Prairie. I love to compete and help the team in any way I can, and when Im not in its obviously hard to do that.

After two weeks of waiting, Seeler was back in the lineup for Thursday nights game against the Montreal Canadiens. It is his first time playing since the season opener against the Nashville Predators, and he was eager to prove his worth to coach Bruce Boudreau.

Just compete and play simple, said Seeler, who played one season with the Gophers, in 2015-16. You dont have to do too much out there.

Thats the key to Seelers success.

Hes never going to be Ryan Suter or Matt Dumba, leading a rush up the ice, dancing on defenders in the neutral zone. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder makes his money by being hard to play against and bringing some added toughness when needed.

Just stay composed and play my game, Seeler said. Thats what Im looking to do.

It should help that Seelers composure has been tested over the past two weeks. Instead of complaining about playing time, Seeler has made a point to stay after practice, working with assistant coach Bob Woods to make sure hes ready the next time he got back in the lineup.

Just trying to keep a positive attitude and be a good teammate, Seeler said. Theres ups and downs whenever (something like this) happens. Its just a mental thing. It can be draining being out of the lineup for that many games. As long as you stay mentally strong and persevere and work through it and try to have a good attitude every day, I think that makes it easier.

Backup goaltender Alex Stalock got the nod for Thursdays game, and while he always brings added flair with his willingness to play the puck, sometimes it gives Boudreau heart palpitations on the bench.

I think hes bored in the net, Boudreau said, joking. He just likes to play the puck all the time. Hes good at it and yet he scares me to death.

As nerve-wracking as it might be, Boudreau noted that he would never tell Stalock to change his playing style.

Thats in his blood, the coach said. If you tell him not to do it, thats really taking away part of his game.

Marcus Foligno leads the Wild with 32 hits this season. He trails only Ryan Reaves, who leads the league with 37 hits.

That physical style of play is something Wild might have to embrace even more considering they likely will be slower on the skates than most teams this season.

We have to have it because we have to be able to slow teams down that are faster than us, Boudreau said. Youve got to be able to skate with them or slow them down with hits, and Marcus has done a great job so far.

After playing in the past two games, Victor Rask did not participate in Thursdays morning skate. He is dealing with a lower-body injury, according to Boudreau, though the severity of the injury is unclear.

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Wilds Nick Seeler finally takes the ice after two weeks of watching, waiting - St. Paul Pioneer Press