Spurgeon's season of bad luck and bad news continued Thursday as it was announced he will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 season as he undergoes left hip surgery on February 6th. The 34-year-old ends his injury riddled campaign without a goal, and with five assists, 21 SOG, two PIMs and a +5 plus/minus in 16 games played. The Wild' captain is expected to be ready for the start of training camp for the 2024-25 season.
After being a healthy scratch in his last two games, Jiricek has been reassigned to the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL. The 20-year-old Jiricek had nine points (1G / 8A) in 36 games this season.
Gustavsson was horrid in his return to the lineup from a multi-week absence, allowing five goals on 18 shots (.722 SV%) in a 6-0 loss to the Arizona Coyotes last week. Minnesota will hope that Gustavsson was just shaking off some rust and can get back to his form from before his injury, when he won eight of 11 (8-3-0), allowing three or fewer goals in all but one game while posting a stellar .927 SV%. Minnesota is a +123 road underdog on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Brodin is expected to return from a 17-game absence and play his first game since December 8th. Brodin had nine points (1G / 8A) in 25 games this season, averaging 23:59 time-on-ice, and will be a big addition to the Wild blueline.
Gaunce was sent down to make way for the return of Sean Kuraly (abdominal), who was activated off injured reserve on Sunday. Gaunce has one goal and two assists in eight games with the Blue Jackets this season.
Wallstedt was shelled in his NHL debut in Dallas on Wednesday, allowing seven goals on 34 shots in the Wild's 7-2 loss. With Filip Gustavsson back, Wallstedt returns to the AHL, where he is 11-9-0 with a 2.54 GAA and .917 SV% in 20 games this season.
Gustavsson has been out since December 30th with a lower-body injury but is set to start Saturday vs. the Coyotes. Prior to getting hurt, Gustavsson was on a nice run, going 8-3-0 with a .927 SV% and one shutout in his last 11 games.
After sitting out Tuesday's game in Anaheim, Trenin will re-enter the Predators' lineup on Friday in place of Cody Glass. Trenin has seven goals and two assists in 38 games this season.
With Filip Gustavsson still out of the lineup for the foreseeable future, Minnesota turned to rookie Jesper Walstedt in between the pipes on Wednesday, but after allowing seven goals on 34 shots (.794 SV%), they will turn back to the Fleury. Since Gustavsson's injury, Fleury and the Wild have struggled immensely, but it's not all on the veteran netminder. Despite recording just one win in seven games since Fleury took over, Minnesota has been limited to only 12 total goals, not a recipe for success given Fleury's pedestrian .892 SV% in that span. That said, Minnesota is a slight -111 home favourite against a Philadelphia Flyers club that has lost five of their last seven games (2-3-2).
Raska will play for the third time in the last four games, again entering the lineup in favour of Nic Petan. Raska is yet to register a point in two games this season.
Raska will take a seat on Wednesday as Nic Petan draws back into the lineup. Raska is yet to register a point in two games this season.
Johansson is one of several Minnesota players battling an illness and was a game-time decision on Wednesday against the Dallas Stars. Johansson has been productive lately, scoring six points (3G / 3A) in seven games while averaging 17:43 time-on-ice.
Foligno returned to the lineup from a lower-body injury after a three-game absence on Monday but was a game-time decision on Wednesday as he is battling an illness. Foligno played 12:44 time-on-ice in a 4-0 loss to the Dallas Stars on Monday and recorded six hits.
