Pitlick played the last five games for the Rangers but will be a healthy scratch on Monday, allowing Adam Edstrom to draw back into the lineup. In 34 games this season, Pitlick has four points (1G / 3A) while averaging 10:12 time-on-ice.
Foligno only played 7:23 TOI before leaving last Friday's game with a lower-body injury. Brandon Duhaime is expected to move up to the third line to replace Foligno on Monday and Connor Dewar (lower-body) is expected to return the lineup to replace him.
Brodin did not play on Wednesday due to an illness but will re-enter the lineup on Friday, replacing Alex Goligoski. In 32 games this season, Brodin has 13 points (1G / 12A), 61 shots, and 81 blocks.
Matthew Phillips will replace Aube-Kubel in the Capitals' lineup on Thursday. Aube-Kubel played only 8:09 time-on-ice Tuesday while recording a -1 plus/minus and five hits.
Brodin returned from a five-week absence due to an upper-body injury last month and has played seven consecutive games since, tallying four points (0G / 4A), 13 shots, and three hits. He has predominantly played on a defensive pair with Zach Bogosian but will have to wait until at least Friday's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins before returning to the lineup.
Gustavsson will start the fifth straight game on Wednesday in Minnesota's return to the ice from the All-Star break. Gustavsson has dropped each of his last two starts, despite limiting the opposition to a respectable three goals per game in both contests. That said, the 25-year-old netminder has been limited to only three wins in his last eight games (3-5-0), posting an ugly .874 SV%. Minnesota will attempt to get back into the win column as sizeable -203 road favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks team that has lost four straight (0-4-0), being outscored 12-2.
Brodin returned from a five-week absence due to an upper-body injury last month and has played seven consecutive games since, tallying four points (0G / 4A), 13 shots, and three hits. He has predominantly played on a defensive pair with Zach Bogosian and will likely return to that spot if he can play on Wednesday.
Jiriceck has spent most of the season with the Blue Jackets, appearing in 36 games and tallying nine points (1G / 8A). The No.6 pick from 2022 will return to the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL, where he has three assists in three games.
Gustavsson will start his fifth straight game on Thursday and look to extend his winning streak to four. The 25-year-old Gustavsson has allowed three or fewer goals in three straight (3-0-0), posting a serviceable .919 SV%. Minnesota, -112 home favourites, face off against division rivals, the Nashville Predators, who have lost two straight, being outscored 7-3.
With Carter Hart being granted an indefinite leave of absence, Cal Petersen has been recalled from Lehigh Valley (AHL) on Tuesday. The 29-year-old veteran netminder returns to the NHL for a second time this season after posting 1-1-0 record, 3.50 GAA and .896 SV% the last time Hart was out.
Gustavsson will search for his third straight win when he tends the twice against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday. Gustavsson was tremendous in his last outing, saving 40 of 42 shots (.952 SV%) in a 5-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. Minnesota is a -165 home favourite against a Washington club that has scored two or fewer goals in three of their last four games (2-2-0).
With Marc-Andre Fleury still unavailable due to an upper-body injury he suffered in Friday's game in Florida, the Wild will turn to Filip Gustavsson when they travel to Carolina on Sunday. Gustavsson relieved Fleury after the injury on Friday night and secured a victory, allowing three goals on 24 shots as the Wild were able to stave off the Panthers' comeback and hold onto a 6-4 win. Gustavsson has struggled since returning from a lower-body injury on January 13th, posting an ugly .813 SV% across three appearances. He'll have his hands full again on Sunday with the Wild being +160 underdogs in Carolina.
Jiriceck has spent most of the season with the Blue Jackets, appearing in 36 games and tallying nine points (1G / 8A). During his brief stint in Cleveland, the No.6 pick from 2022 had three assists in three games. He'll be with the team as they leave for a West Coast road swing.
