Minnesota Wild News

The Wild will turn to Gustavsson between the pipes for the 39th time this season when they travel to Denver on Friday. Gustavsson had a rare off night in his last outing, allowing three goals on 16 shots in a 3-2 loss to the Red Wings on Tuesday. The 26-year-old netminder owns a 22-12-3 record and a .914 SV% on the season. Gustavsson will have his hands full on Friday as the Wild enter action at +265 on the money line.

Bogosian was a late scratch on Friday, with the Wild not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Jon Merrill will draw into the lineup in his place.

Foligno exited Thursday's 7-5 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights after only 6:40 time-on-ice due to a back injury and did not practice on Friday. The 37-year-old Foligno is averaging 16:14 time-on-ice and has 26 points (12G / 14A) in 58 games this season.

The often-injured Fabbri unfortunately returns to a familiar spot on the Injured Reserve. The 29-year-old forward has played more than 60 games in a season only three times in his nine-year career. He has 16 points (8G / 8A) in 44 games with the Ducks this season.

Hughes was expected to be out after not taking part in line rushes during warmups, but it now appears he will play as Vancouver opts to dress seven defencemen. Hughes missed Vancouver's final four games before the break for the 4Nations Face-Off and has not played two straight since the NHL resumed it's activities, but will return on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 25-year-old Hughes is amid another Norris trophy caliber season, posting 59 points (14G / 45A) in 47 games.

Hughes missed Vancouver's final four games before the break for the 4Nations Face-Off and has not played two straight since the NHL resumed it's activities, but he could return on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 25-year-old Hughes is amid another Norris trophy caliber season, posting 59 points (14G / 45A) in 47 games.

Eriksson Ek recorded an assist in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings but has been placed on Injured Reserve and is considered week-to-week even though will not be eligible to return until, at earliest, March 2nd against the Boston Bruins. Already without Kirill Kaprizov (lower body), Minnesota can ill-afford to lose Eriksson Ek's offensive production. The 28-year-old Eriksson Ek has 24 points (9G / 15A) in 42 games this season.

Hartman was originally issued a 10-game suspension for roughing Ottawa's Tim Stutzle, which has since been reduced to eight games, making him eligible to return on March 4th. The 30-year-old Hartman has four games remaining in his suspension. He is averaging 14:45 time-on-ice and has 17 points (7G / 10A) in 48 games this season.

Hughes missed Vancouver's final four games before the break for the 4Nations Face-Off and has not played two straight since the NHL resumed it's activities, but he will likely return on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 25-year-old Hughes is amid another Norris trophy caliber season, posting 59 points (14G / 45A) in 47 games.

Gustavsson strung together several strong performance before the break for the 4Nations Face Off and will make his return to the crease on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 26-year-old Gustavsson has had an up-and-down 2024-25 campaign, starting the season with an immaculate .926 SV% in his first 27 games (18-6-3) before posting a subpar .889 SV% in his next 10 (4-5-0).

Sturm missed the final eight games before the 4Nations break but was a full participant in Tuesday's practice and is expected to play Sunday vs. the Flames. Sturm, who has played primarily in a bottom-6 role, has 11 points (5G / 6A) in 41 games this season.

Hughes did not play the final four games for the Canucks before the break for the 4-Nations Face Off due to a lower-body injury but was back at practice on Wednesday. The 25-year-old Hughes is amid another Norris trophy caliber season, posting 59 points (14G / 45A) in 47 games.

After being outscored 9-0 in two straight games (0-2-0), Minnesota responded with an impressive 2-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes in one of Gustavsson's best performances lately, saving 37 of 38 shots (.974 SV%). The 26-year-old Gustavsson had struggled before his most recent victory, allowing four or more goals in six of eight contests (2-5-0), posting an ugly .873 SV%. He has a 2.61 GAA and .915 SV% in 36 appearances this season (21-11-3).

Minnesota has been outscored 9-0 in their previous two games and will turn to Gustavsson between the pipes on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. Gustavsson struggled in his most recent outing, allowing six goals on 52 shots (.885 SV%) in a 6-0 loss to the Ottawa Senators. After a tremendous start to the 2024-25 campaign, posting an impressive .926 SV% in his first 27 games (18-6-3), Gustavsson has a troubling .873 SV% in his last eight appearances (2-5-0). Minnesota enters Thursday's contest as +165 home underdogs against a Carolina squad amid a two-game losing skid (0-2-0).