Minnesota Wild News

The Wild will unsurprisingly stick with Gustavsson between the pipes for Game 5 as they look to take control of their series against the Golden Knights. Gustavsson was unfortunate not to come away with the victory in Game 4, stopping 42 of the 46 shots he faced in the 4-3 overtime loss. The 26-year-old netminder is off to a great start this post-season, posting a .919 SV% across the opening four games. Minnesota enters action on Tuesday at +185 on the money line.

Pickard has faced some adversity since entering the Oilers crease in Game 3 but is 2-0 and will return to crease on Tuesday for Game 5. The 33-year-old Pickard saved 38 of 41 shots (.927 SV%) in Sunday's 4-3 overtime win over the Los Angeles Kings, tying the series at 2-2. The Oilers enter a pivotal Game 5 as +111 road underdogs against a Kings team that has yet to lose at home in the postseason (2-0) and had a league-best 31 wins at home during the regular season.

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.

With Stuart Skinner posting a horrendous 6.11 GAA and .810 SV% through the first two games of Edmonton's opening series, Calvin Pickard will start Game 3 vs. Los Angeles on Friday. The 33-year-old was a consistent source of wins when called upon throughout the regular season, posting a 22-10-1 record, 2.71 GAA and .900 SV%. He will host the Los Angeles Kings for Game 3 on Friday, who are looking to take a commanding 3-0 series lead after scoring 12 combined goals in the first two games of the series.

With Stuart Skinner posting a horrendous 6.11 GAA and .810 SV% through the first two games of the series, Calvin Pickard has found himself in the starter's net ahead of Game 3 vs. Los Angeles on Friday. The 33-year-old was a consistent source of wins when called upon during the regular season, posting a 22-10-1 record, 2.71 GAA and .900 SV%. He will host the Los Angeles Kings for Game 3 on Friday, who are looking to take a commanding 3-0 series lead after scoring 12 goals combined in the first two games.

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.

The Florida Panthers have completed the 2024-25 season and, no longer in need of reserves, have assigned Jesse Puljujarvi, Rasmus Asplund, and Matt Kiersted to the Charlotte Checkers (AHL). Kiersted has 27 points (1G / 27A) in 63 games with Charlotte 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).

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.

On the tail end of a back-to-back, in their penultimate game, the Oilers will turn to Pickard between the pipes on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings in a preview of their first-round playoff matchup. Pickard allowed two goals on 28 shots (.929 SV%) in a 3-0 loss to the Kings on April 5th. The 32-year-old goalie has a 2.63 GAA and .902 SV% in 35 games this season (22-9-1). The Oilers enter Monday's contest as slight -102 home underdogs against a Kings team outscoring their opposition 11-5 during a two-game winning streak.

On the tail end of a back-to-back, in their penultimate game, the Oilers will likely turn to Pickard between the pipes on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings in a preview of their first-round playoff matchup. Pickard allowed two goals on 28 shots (.929 SV%) in a 3-0 loss to the Kings on April 5th. The 32-year-old goalie has a 2.63 GAA and .902 SV% in 35 games this season (22-9-1). The Oilers enter Monday's contest as slight -102 home underdogs against a Kings team outscoring their opposition 11-5 during a two-game winning streak.