Minnesota Wild News

Pickard has started roughly one of every three games for the Oilers this season, a trend that will continue on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild. The 32-year-old Pickard has been serviceable between the pipes when called upon, posting a 2.56 GAA and .892 SV% in 10 appearances (6-3-0). The Oilers have won three straight, outscoring their opposition 12-6, and enter Thursday's contest as -144 road favorites against a Wild team with a +22 goal differential through 28 games (19-5-4), fourth-best in the NHL.

Pickard has started roughly one of every three games for the Oilers this season, a trend that will continue on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild. The 32-year-old Pickard has been serviceable between the pipes when called upon, posting a 2.56 GAA and .892 SV% in 10 appearances (6-3-0). The Oilers have won three straight, outscoring their opposition 12-6, and enter Thursday's contest as -144 road favorites against a Wild team with a +22 goal differential through 28 games (19-5-4), fourth-best in the NHL.

Gustavsson allowed more than three goals for only the third time this season on Tuesday, allowing four on 25 shots (.840 SV%), but still salvaged a 5-4 victory over the Utah Hockey Club. Despite his minor blip in his most recent outing, Gustavsson has been tremendous this season, a leading candidate for the Vezina trophy, posting an absurd 2.08 GAA and .927 SV% in 21 games (14-4-3). Minnesota enters Thursday's contest as +132 home underdogs against an Edmonton Oilers club they defeated 5-3 on November 21st.

Minnesota's five-game winning streak snapped in their most recent outing, a disappointing 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. Gustavsson will return to the crease on Tuesday, looking to improve his immaculate start to the 2024-25 season, boasting a Vezina-worthy 1.99 GAA and .931 SV% in 20 games (13-4-3). Minnesota enters Tuesday's contest as slight -104 road underdogs against a Utah team that has scored three or more goals in five of their last six (4-1-1).

Eriksson Ek nearly made it through the entire game on Tuesday, exiting due to a lower-body injury in overtime after playing 21:11 time-on-ice, and has not played since. The 27-year-old Eriksson Ek was off to a slow start to the 2024-25 season, scoring only 13 points (5G / 8A) in 22 games, but had four points (0G / 4A) in his last four contests.

Minnesota has won four straight and will roll with Gustavsson between the pipes on Friday against the Anaheim Ducks. Gustavsson has been tremendous this season, making a case for the Vezina trophy with a sublime 2.04 GAA and .929 SV% through 19 games this season (12-4-3). Minnesota enters Friday's contest as -191 road favorites against an Anaheim club they defeated 5-2 on November 8th when Gustavsson saved 33 of 35 shots (.943 SV%).

Pickard has only played one of the last six games for the Oilers but will return to the crease on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 32-year-old Pickard was solid in his most recent outing, saving 28 of 31 shots (.903 SV%) in a 4-3 win over the Utah Hockey Club, and sports a 2.50 GAA and .895 SV% through nine appearances this season (5-3-0). The Oilers enter Thursday's contest as sizeable -270 home favorites against a Blue Jackets club that was shutout 3-0 by the Calgary Flames on Tuesday.

Brodin has missed four straight games due to an upper-body injury. The 31-year-old Brodin has already missed six games this season. He is averaging 22:08 time-on-ice and has eight points (2G / 6A) in 19 games.

Eriksson Ek nearly made it through the entire game on Tuesday, exiting due to a lower-body injury in overtime after playing 21:11 time-on-ice. The 27-year-old Eriksson Ek was off to a slow start to the 2024-25 season, scoring only 13 points (5G / 8A) in 22 games, but had four points (0G / 4A) in his last four contests.

Kirkland played only 1:05 time-on-ice before exiting Friday's game with a lower-body injury and will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season. The 28-year-old Kirkland played a career-high 21 games this season, scoring eight points (2G / 6A) while averaging 9:42 time-on-ice.

With the Iowa Wild (AHL) off until the weekend, Wallstedt might have been recalled just to receive some extra practice during their off-time. The 22-year-old netminder has struggled this season, posting an ugly 4.34 GAA and .860 SV% in 10 games with Iowa (3-6-1).

Eriksson Ek nearly made it through the entire game on Tuesday, exiting due to a lower-body injury in overtime after playing 21:11 time-on-ice. There was no update following the game on Eriksson Ek, who has four points (0G / 4A) in his last four games.

Gustavsson has been tremendous all season, among the NHL's best netminders, and will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 26-year-old Gustavsson boasts an immaculate 2.05 GAA and .929 SV% through 18 games this season (11-4-3). Minnesota enters Tuesday's contest as -139 home favorites against a Vancouver club that has won four of their last five (4-1-0).