Minnesota Wild News

Gustavsson will start for the third straight game on Saturday and look for his third consecutive victory in the process. The Swedish netminder has been outstanding lately, allowing two or fewer goals in each of his last six appearances (5-1-0), posting a phenomenal .950 SV%. Gustavsson and the Wild will face off against the Vancouver Canucks, who they played less than two weeks ago in a 3-0 loss when Gustavsson allowed two goals on 17 shots (.882 SV%).

Spurgeon was not able to play on Thursday due to a lower-body injury and will be a game-time decision on Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks. Minnesota turned to Brock Faber in Spurgeon's absence, playing a season-high 30:08 and seeing increased exposure in all on-ice situations.

Sturm suffered a mid-body injury on Tuesday that limited him to only 8:44 time-on-ice. The 28-year-old German has only registered on the score sheet once in the last nine games, a two-goal performance on December 7th against the Detroit Red Wings.

Brodin did not play in the last contest for Minnesota on December 10th due to an upper-body injury and has since been played on the long-term injured reserve. He last played on Friday against the Edmonton Oilers, exiting the game after only 15:41 time-on-ice after an awkward hit. Brodin had nine points (1G / 8A) in 25 games this season, averaging 23:59 time-on-ice, and will be a big loss on the Wild blue line.

Gustavsson saved all 24 shots he faced in his last outing for his second shutout of the season and will return to the crease on Thursday against the Calgary Flames. After a horrendous 10-game stretch (1-6-2) where he posted a .864 SV%, Gustavsson has been tremendous in his last five games (4-1-0), dating back to John Hynes taking over as Minnesota's head coach, posting a ridiculous .951 SV% in the process. The Wild are -146 home favourites against a Flames team that has lost three straight and five of their last six (1-4-1).

Spurgeon did not practice on Wednesday and appears to be a game-time decision ahead of Thursday's contest against the Calgary Flames. Spurgeon was recently quarterbacking the top powerplay unit but if he is unavailable to play on Thursday, Brock Faber could be a candidate to slot into that role, as he had some success there earlier this month.

Bogosian has missed the last two games and was a game-time decision on Thursday as he continues to recover from an upper-body injury. Since joining Minnesota earlier this season, the veteran defenseman has one point (0G / 1A), 11 blocks, 14 hits, and is averaging 13:10 time-on-ice through nine games.

Bogosian has missed the last two games and will be a game-time decision on Thursday as he continues to recover from an upper-body injury. Since joining Minnesota earlier this season, the veteran defenseman has one point (0G / 1A), 11 blocks, 14 hits, and is averaging 13:10 time-on-ice through nine games.

After a horrendous start to the season, posting a wretched .864 SV% over a 10-game stretch (1-6-2) from October 14th to November 26th, Gustavsson has flipped a switch, coinciding with John Hynes taking over as head coach of the Wild. Gustavsson has won three straight contests, his first string of consecutive victories all season, allowing four goals combined, positing a .951 SV%. That said, Minnesota is a slight -101 road underdog against a Vancouver Canucks team that ranks first in the league offensively (3.88 GF / GP).

Philip Broberg has been loaned to the Bakersfield Condors (AHL), prompting the Oilers to recall Gleason. Gleason has not played in the NHL since the 2018-19 season, a four-game stint with the Dallas Stars, scoring one point (0G / 1A). The undrafted 25-year-old has been successful in the AHL this season, scoring nine points (2G / 7A) and a +5 plus/minus in 14 games.

Sturm did not play on Sunday but is expected to return to the Sharks' lineup on Tuesday and skate on a line with Justin Bailey and Kevin Labanc. Sturm is averaging 14:48 time-on-ice through 22 games this season but has only two points (0G / 2A), being held without a point in 91% of contests.

Hinostroza will sit on Monday after playing just 5:16 against the Flyers on Saturday. He has one goal and two assists in nine games for the Penguins this season. Hinostroza will make way for the recently recalled Alex Nylander.

Hinostroza played on 5:16 time-on-ice in the Penguins' 4-3 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday and will be a healthy scratch in a rematch between the two teams on Monday night. Hinostroze has been in and out of the lineup in his first season with the Penguins, scoring three points (1G / 2A) in nine games.