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).
Pickard will get the starting nod for the tail-end of Edmonton's back-to-back in Chicago on Wednesday. Pickard was excellent in his last outing, stopping 26 of the 28 shots he faced in a 4-2 victory over the Kraken on January 27th. Pickard boasts an impressive 13-4-0 record and a .901 SV% on the season. He's a good bet to stay in the win column on Tuesday as the Oilers enter action at -260 on the money line.
Hartman was recently suspended ten games for roughing Ottawa's Tim Stutzle. The appeal will be heard by commissioner Gary Bettman. If the decision is upheld or is altered to a suspension of six games or more, Hartman will also have the option to appeal to an independent arbitrator.
Hughes suffered a lower-body injury late in Friday's 5-3 loss to the Dallas Stars and has not played since. He will miss a third consecutive game on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. The 25-year-old Hughes is amid another Norris trophy caliber season, posting 59 points (14G / 45A) in 47 games. Filip Hronek has been the quarterback on Vancouver's top powerplay unit while Hughes has been sidelined.
With the Blue Jackets dealing with some major injuries in their forward group, Gambrell was recalled earlier this week but did not crack the lineup and will return to the Cleveland Monsters (AHL). The 28-year-old Gambrell has 233 games of NHL experience but has spent the entirety of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, tallying 20 points (9G / 11A) in 31 games this season.
Hughes suffered a lower-body injury late in Friday's 5-3 loss to the Dallas Stars and has not played since. He will miss a second consecutive game on Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche. The 25-year-old Hughes is amid another Norris trophy caliber season, posting 59 points (14G / 45A) in 47 games.
With Kirill Marchenko (jaw) out indefinitely, the Blue Jackets have recalled Gambrell from the Cleveland Monsters (AHL). The 28-year-old Gambrell has 233 games of NHL experience but has spent the entirety of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, tallying 20 points (9G / 11A) in 31 games this season.
Brodin has not played since January 7th, missing twelve straight games with a lower-body injury. The 31-year-old Brodin is averaging 23:13 time-on-ice and has 16 points (4G / 12A) in 31 games this season. He had five points (1G / 4A) in his last four games before his injury.
On the front end of a back-to-back, Minnesota will turn to Gustavsson between the pipes on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Gustavsson was reliable in his most recent outing, saving 18 of 20 shots (.900 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. That said, the 26-year-old netminder has struggled lately, allowing four or more goals in five of his last six appearances (1-4-0), posting an ugly .850 SV%. Minnesota enters Wednesday's contest as +153 road underdogs against a Toronto team outscored 7-2 during a two-game losing skid.
Brodin has not played since January 7th, missing nine straight games with a lower-body injury. The 31-year-old Brodin is averaging 23:13 time-on-ice and has 16 points (4G / 12A) in 31 games this season. He had five points (1G / 4A) in his last four games before his injury.
Bill Guerin, GM of the Minnesota Wild, announced on Tuesday that Kaprizov will be out of the lineup for at least four weeks after undergoing surgery. The surgery will address the same lower-body injury that kept him out of the lineup for 12 games earlier this month. The 27-year-old Kaprizov has been outstanding offensively when healthy, scoring 52 points (23G / 29A) in 37 games.
