The acquisition of Sturm will add some depth to the Panthers' bottom-six forward group. The 29-year-old Sturm averaged 10:08 time-on-ice and scored 13 points (7G / 6A) in 47 games with the Sharks this season.
Foligno exited last Thursday's 7-5 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights after only 6:40 time-on-ice due to a back injury and has not played since, but will return to the lineup on Friday against the Utah Hockey Club. The 37-year-old Foligno is averaging 16:14 time-on-ice and has 26 points (12G / 14A) in 58 games this season.
Pitlick has 420 games of NHL experience, scoring 109 points (56G / 53A), but has almost exclusively spent the previous two season in the AHL. The 33-year-old Pitlick has 33 points (16G / 17A) in 43 games with the Providence Bruins (AHL) this season.
Hughes played the previous three games after missing nearly a month due to a lower-body injury but will return to the sidelines. The 25-year-old Hughes has been having another season worthy of a Norris trophy, scoring 60 points (14G / 46A) in 50 games. That said, his inability to remain in the lineup lately causes notable concern for a Canucks team desperately trying to stay in the mix for a playoff spot.
Minnesota snapped a three-game losing skid on Sunday courtesy of a 28-save shutout by Gustavsson in a 1-0 win over the Boston Bruins, his fourth shutout of the season. The 26-year-old Gustavsson returns to the crease on Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken, looking to build on his 2.61 GAA and .914 SV% through 40 games (23-13-3). Minnesota enters the action on Tuesday as +108 road underdogs against a Seattle squad coming off a 6-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks.
Hartman was originally issued a 10-game suspension for roughing Ottawa's Tim Stutzle, which was reduced to eight games, making him eligible to return tonight against the Seattle Kraken. 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.
Pickard has not started consecutive games all season but will get a second straight start on Tuesday when the Oilers host the Anaheim Ducks. The 32-year-old Pickard was tremendous in his most recent outing, saving 35 of 36 shots (.972 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, helping the Oilers snap a five-game losing skid. Pickard has a 2.61 GAA and .901 SV% in 23 games this season (15-6-0). The Oilers enter the action on Tuesday as significant -323 home favorites against a Ducks squad coming off a disappointing 6-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Pickard has not started consecutive games all season but will likely get a second straight start on Tuesday when the Oilers host the Anaheim Ducks. The 32-year-old Pickard was tremendous in his most recent outing, saving 35 of 36 shots (.972 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, helping the Oilers snap a five-game losing skid. Pickard has a 2.61 GAA and .901 SV% in 23 games this season (15-6-0). The Oilers enter the action on Tuesday as significant -323 home favorites against a Ducks squad coming off a disappointing 6-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Maatta has impressed in his first season with Utah, earning himself a three-year contract extension. The 30-year-old defenseman started the season with the Detroit Red Wings before being traded to Utah. He has 14 points (2G / 12A) through 51 games and is averaging 20:41 time-on-ice, his highest total since his second NHL season in 2014-15.
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.
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.
