Minnesota had a forgetful performance on Thursday, a 7-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, and will turn to Fleury between the pipes on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Fleury entered the crease in relief of Filip Gustavsson in Thursday's loss, allowing two goals on nine shots (.778 SV%). The veteran Fleury has a 2.71 GAA and .905 SV% in eight appearances this season (5-1-1).
Zuccarello has not played since suffering an injury on November 14th, missing 13 games, but could return to the lineup on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Before his injury, the 37-year-old Zuccarello had not missed a beat, playing predominantly alongside Kirill Kaprizov, scoring 14 points (6G/ 8A) in 16 games this season.
Middleton suffered the injury in the first period of Thursday's game and was unable to return. The 28-year-old Middleton is averaging a career-high 20:36 time-on-ice, recording 13 points (5G / 8A), 76 blocks, and 42 hits in 29 games this season.
Middleton suffered the injury in the first period of Thursday's game and was unable to return. We should get an update on his status ahead of Minnesota's game against the Flyers on Saturday.
Gustavsson allowed more than three goals for only the third time this season on Tuesday, allowing four on 25 shots (.840 SV%), but still salvaged a 5-4 victory over the Utah Hockey Club. Despite his minor blip in his most recent outing, Gustavsson has been tremendous this season, a leading candidate for the Vezina trophy, posting an absurd 2.08 GAA and .927 SV% in 21 games (14-4-3). Minnesota enters Thursday's contest as +132 home underdogs against an Edmonton Oilers club they defeated 5-3 on November 21st.
Nyquist was a late scratch on Tuesday, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. The Predators added that Nyquist is considered day-to-day as he battles the illness.
Minnesota's five-game winning streak snapped in their most recent outing, a disappointing 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. Gustavsson will return to the crease on Tuesday, looking to improve his immaculate start to the 2024-25 season, boasting a Vezina-worthy 1.99 GAA and .931 SV% in 20 games (13-4-3). Minnesota enters Tuesday's contest as slight -104 road underdogs against a Utah team that has scored three or more goals in five of their last six (4-1-1).
Crotty was a third-round pick, 82nd overall, of the Arizona Coyotes in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut last season, playing one game, but has exclusively been an AHL player. He has five points (0G / 5A) in 19 games with the Iowa Wild (AHL). In a corresponding move, Minnesota assigned David Jiricek to the AHL.
Jiricek has not played since being acquired in a trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets on November 30th. The 21-year-old Jiricek was the sixth-overall pick of the Blue Jackets in 2022 but had trouble establishing himself with the club at the NHL level, soring 11 points (1G / 10A) in 53 career games.
Eriksson Ek nearly made it through the entire game on Tuesday, exiting due to a lower-body injury in overtime after playing 21:11 time-on-ice, and has not played since. The 27-year-old Eriksson Ek was off to a slow start to the 2024-25 season, scoring only 13 points (5G / 8A) in 22 games, but had four points (0G / 4A) in his last four contests.
Minnesota has won four straight and will roll with Gustavsson between the pipes on Friday against the Anaheim Ducks. Gustavsson has been tremendous this season, making a case for the Vezina trophy with a sublime 2.04 GAA and .929 SV% through 19 games this season (12-4-3). Minnesota enters Friday's contest as -191 road favorites against an Anaheim club they defeated 5-2 on November 8th when Gustavsson saved 33 of 35 shots (.943 SV%).
Boyd has performed well with Iowa this season, scoring two goals and adding nine assists in 13 games. He'll look to make a stronger impression with Minnesota after going pointless in his only two NHL games this season.
Brodin has missed four straight games due to an upper-body injury. The 31-year-old Brodin has already missed six games this season. He is averaging 22:08 time-on-ice and has eight points (2G / 6A) in 19 games.
Eriksson Ek nearly made it through the entire game on Tuesday, exiting due to a lower-body injury in overtime after playing 21:11 time-on-ice. The 27-year-old Eriksson Ek was off to a slow start to the 2024-25 season, scoring only 13 points (5G / 8A) in 22 games, but had four points (0G / 4A) in his last four contests.
Ogren has split time between the NHL and AHL this season, going pointless in eight NHL games with Minnesota, and scoring six points (5G / 1A) in eight AHL games with Iowa. The 20-year-old Ohgren was the 19th overall pick of Minnesota in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
With the Iowa Wild (AHL) off until the weekend, Wallstedt might have been recalled just to receive some extra practice during their off-time. The 22-year-old netminder has struggled this season, posting an ugly 4.34 GAA and .860 SV% in 10 games with Iowa (3-6-1).
Eriksson Ek nearly made it through the entire game on Tuesday, exiting due to a lower-body injury in overtime after playing 21:11 time-on-ice. There was no update following the game on Eriksson Ek, who has four points (0G / 4A) in his last four games.
