Marcus Johansson (lower body) did not play Minnesota's previous game but will re-enter the lineup for Game 5 on Tuesday, sending Hinostroza to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 31-year-old Hinostroza played 11:57 and was held off the scoresheet in Game 4, his first playoff action in five years.
Johansson suffered an injury late in Game 3 and did not play in Game 4, but was back at practice on Monday and will return to the lineup for Game 5. The 34-year-old Johansson has one point (0G / 1A) through three playoff games. Vinnie Hinostroza will exit the lineup to accommodate Johansson's return.
Buium was Minnesota's 12th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut in this postseason, often quarterbacking the top powerplay unit, scoring one point (0G / 1A) in 4 games. He will head to the sidelines as a healthy scratch, being replaced by Jon Merrill.
Zeev Buium will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday for Game 5, allowing Merrill to draw into the lineup for his first game in the 2024-25 postseason. The 33-year-old Merrill averaged 14:06 time-on-ice and had six points (2G / 4A) in 70 games this season.
Johansson suffered an injury late in Game 3 and did not play in Game 4, but was back at practice on Monday, indicating he could return to the lineup for Game 5. The 34-year-old Johansson has one point (0G / 1A) through three playoff games.
Johansson only played 11:09 time-on-ice in Thursday's 5-2 win, giving Minnesota a 2-1 series lead, and is uncertain for Game 4. The 34-year-old Johansson has one point (0G / 1A) through three playoff games.
Mercer is an undrafted goalie out that has spent the previous five seasons playing for the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the QMJHL. The 21-year-old had an excellent 2024-25 season, posting a 2.53 GAA and .925 SV% in 46 games (27-15-4) with Drummondville.
Minnesota enters Game 3 with their first-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights tied 1-1, courtesy of an excellent performance from Gustavsson in Game 2, saving 30 of 32 shots (.938 SV%) in the 5-2 victory. The 26-year-old Gustavsson will return to the crease in Game 3, looking to build on his 2.38 GAA and .919 SV% through seven career playoff games (3-4-0). Minnesota enters Game 3 on Thursday as +140 home underdogs against Vegas.
Down 0-1 in their first-round matchup against the Golden Knights, the Wild will roll with Gustavsson between the pipes for Game 2, looking to even the series. The 26-year-old Gustavsson was beaten three times in Game 1, allowing three goals on 26 shots (.885 SV%) in a 4-2 loss. The Swedish netminder had a solid 2024-25 campaign, posting a 2.56 GAA and .914 SV% in 58 appearances (31-19-6) and has been serviceable in limited playoff action, posting a 2.45 GAA and .915 SV% in six career outings (2-4-0). Still, Minnesota enters Game 2 as a sizeable +192 road underdogs against Vegas.
Down 0-1 in their first-round matchup against the Golden Knights, the Wild will likely roll with Gustavsson between the pipes for Game 2, looking to even the series. The 26-year-old Gustavsson was beaten three times in Game 1, allowing three goals on 26 shots (.885 SV%) in a 4-2 loss. The Swedish netminder had a solid 2024-25 campaign, posting a 2.56 GAA and .914 SV% in 58 appearances (31-19-6) and has been serviceable in limited playoff action, posting a 2.45 GAA and .915 SV% in six career outings (2-4-0). Still, Minnesota enters Game 2 as a sizeable +192 road underdogs against Vegas.
Chisholm has been a lineup regular for Minnesota lately, but he will head to the sidelines as a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 25-year-old Chisholm is averaging 17:00 time-on-ice and has 12 points (2G / 10A) in 66 games this season.
Minnesota can clinch a playoff spot by recording a single point against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday. Gustavsson will be tending the twine, looking to build on his 2.57 GAA and .914 SV% through 57 games this season (31-19-6). After a stellar March performance, the 26-year-old Gustavsson has struggled in April, posting a 3.33 GAA and .881 SV% in five games (2-2-1). Still, Minnesota enters Tuesday's contest as sizeable -251 home favorites against an Anaheim team outscored 10-3 during a two-game losing skid (0-2-0).
Buium was Minnesota's 12th-overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old defenseman just completed his second season with the University of Denver, scoring 48 points (13G / 35A) in 41 games.
Middleton has not played since April 4th but he will draw back into Minnesota's lineup on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 29-year-old Middleton is averaging 21:56 time-on-ice and 20 points (8G / 12A) in 66 games this season.
Spurgeon did not play Minnesota's previous game but he will re-enter the lineup on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 35-year-old Spurgeon is averaging 20:26 time-on-ice and has 32 points (7G / 25A) in 65 games this season.
