After missing 66 games in 2023-24 due to injury, Jared Spurgeon has missed three straight games in the 2024-25 campaign due to a lower-body injury. The 34-year-old Spurgeon was replaced by Declan Chisholm since he exited the lineup on October 12th.
Hartman will miss a second straight game on Tuesday when Minnesota visits the Florida Panthers. Hartman was off to a strong start to the season with two goals in his first four games.
For the fourth straight game, Minnesota will turn to Gustavsson between the pipes on Tuesday against the Florida Panthers. After a forgetful 2023-24 season, posting a pedestrian 3.06 GAA and .899 SV%, Gustavsson has been tremendous, starting the 2024-25 campaign with an outstanding 1.49 GAA and .950 SV% in four outings (3-0-1). That said, Minnesota will be hard-pressed for success against a Panthers club that has points in four straight (3-0-1) and will welcome Matthew Tkachuk (illness) back into the lineup.
Jiricek had 10 points (1G / 9A) in 43 games with the Blue Jackets last season. The talented 20-year-old offensive Czech defenseman had an impressive playoff run with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) last season, scoring 11 points (3G / 8A) in 14 games, and is trying to become a full-time NHLer this season.
Hartman showed no signs of an ailment in his last contest when he scored a goal in a 4-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Monday. He has two points (2G / 0A) in four games this season and will be a game-time decision on Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Hunt being recalled likely indicates that Jared Spurgeon (lower body) will not be ready to return to Minnesota's lineup on Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 22-year-old Hunt has played one game with Minnesota this season, tallying 8:01 time-on-ice and two shots on goal.
Originally expected to return on Tuesday, Eriksson Ek is likely to make his return on Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Eriksson Ek did not travel with Minnesota for the start of their seven-game road trip after he took an elbow to the face from Adam Larsson in the second period and went to the locker room in last Saturday's game. He missed the final 12:45 of the period before returning to the game in the third period with a full face shield. He only played one shift, though, left the game again and did not return.
Hunt's reassignment to the Iowa Wild (AHL) is likely a paper transaction unless Jared Spurgeon (lower body) is deemed ready to return to the lineup. The 22-year-old Hunt has played one game with Minnesota this season, tallying 8:01 time-on-ice and two shots on goal.
Johansson has gotten off to a hot start in the first two games of the season with two points but will not play on Tuesday in St. Louis. The 34-year-old was a game-time decision on Sunday but ended up playing 14:57 time-on-ice.
Hunt was the 65th overall pick of Minnesota in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 22-year-old defenseman made his NHL debut last season, playing 12 games, but spent most of the 2023-24 campaign in the AHL, tallying 29 points (3G / 26A) in 51 games for the Iowa Wild.
Johansson has gotten off to a hot start in the first two games of the season with two points but will be a game-time decision again on Tuesday in St. Louis. The 34-year-old was a game-time decision on Sunday but ended up playing 14:57 time-on-ice.
Gustavsson has been strong for Minnesota, starting two of three games to start the season, and will return to the crease on Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues. The 26-year-old Gustavsson has saved 64 of 68 shots (.941 SV%) through two games (1-0-1), an early indication that he may be returning to form after a forgettable 2023-24 campaign when he posted a 3.06 GAA and .899 SV% in 45 outings (20-18-4). Minnesota enters the action as slight -111 road favorites against St. Louis.
After missing 66 games in 2023-24 due to injury, Jared Spurgeon will unfortunately miss his second straight game of the 2024-25 campaign due to a lower-body injury suffered on Saturday. The 34-year-old was replaced by Declan Chisholm (illness) on Sunday.
Originally expected to return on Tuesday, Eriksson Ek will remain out of the lineup for at least one more game. Eriksson Ek did not travel with Minnesota for the start of their seven-game road trip after he took an elbow to the face from Adam Larsson in the second period and went to the locker room in Saturday's game. He missed the final 12:45 of the period before returning to the game in the third period with a full face shield. He only played one shift, though, and left the game again and did not return.
Gustavsson won his first start of the season vs. Columbus after stopping 31 of 33 shots against (.939 SV%) and will have a chance to go 2-0-0 on Sunday in Winnipeg. The 26-year-old is in his third season with the Wild and will be splitting time with both Marc-Andre Fleury and Jesper Wallstedt this season. He will head to Winnipeg to take on the undefeated Jets (2-0-0), who beat Chicago 2-1 on home ice on Friday.
With Joel Eriksson Ek (broken nose) not travelling on Sunday, Liam Ohgren will make his season debut vs. Winnipeg. The 20-year-old left-winger made his NHL debut last season but only appeared in four games, picking up a goal and an assist while averaging 14:31 TOI/GP.
