Minnesota Wild News

Kirkland played only 1:05 time-on-ice before exiting Friday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets with a lower-body injury. The 28-year-old Kirkland has already played a career-high 20 games this season, averaging 10:08 time-on-ice and scoring eight points (2G / 6A).

On the front end of a back-to-back, the Oilers will roll with Pickard in net. The 32-year-old Pickard is sporting a 2.44 GAA and .893 SV% in eight games this season (4-3-0) and has been solid lately, allowing three or fewer goals in six straight (4-2-0), posting a .915 SV%. The Oilers enter Friday's contest as -155 road favorites against the Utah Hockey Club, sporting a 2-4-0 record in their previous six.

Brodin was a surprise scratch on Wednesday, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. We should get an update on his status ahead of the Wild's game against Chicago on Friday.

Minnesota has lost two straight, both with Gustavsson between the pipes, but will roll with him again on Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres. Despite losing three of his last four outings (1-2-1), Gustavsson has been tremendous in Minnesota's crease this season, posting a stellar 2.18 GAA and .923 SV% in 16 games (9-4-3). Minnesota enters Wednesday's contest as -129 road favorites against Buffalo club that will welcome Tage Thompson back into their lineup.

McCarron will miss a third straight game on Wednesday and has been placed on Injured Reserve. The 29-year-old McCarron is averaging 12:24 time-on-ice, recording four points (2G / 2A) and a -11 plus/minus in 18 games this season.

Sturm has missed the last five games with an upper-body injury but he took part in Sunday's practice and will return vs. the Kings on Monday. Sturm has picked up three goals and three assists (six points) in 18 games this season.

According to Michael Russo of The Athletic, Kaprizov had an MRI on Sunday, and Wild team doctors determined he did not have a serious injury. He'll return to the Wild lineup after missing just one game. Before his injury, the 27-year-old Kaprizov was riding a seven-game point streak, scoring 13 points (6G / 7A).

Gustavsson was on the losing end of a 4-3 shootout loss to the Calgary Flames in Minnesota's last outing but will look to rebound on Monday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 26-year-old Gustavsson has been among the NHL's best netminders this season, boasting a 2.13 GAA and .924 SV% through 15 games (9-3-3). Minnesota enters Monday's contest as slight -103 home underdogs against a Winnipeg club coming off a 4-1 loss to the Nashville Predators.

According to Michael Russo of The Athletic, Kaprizov had an MRI on Sunday, and Wild team doctors determined he did not have a serious injury. Before his injury, the 27-year-old Kaprizov was riding a seven-game point streak, scoring 13 points (6G / 7A).

Sturm has missed the last five games with an upper-body injury but he took part in Sunday's practice and will be a game-time decision vs. the Kings on Monday. Sturm has picked up three goals and three assists (six points) in 18 games this season.

According to Michael Russo of The Athletic, Kaprizov had an MRI on Sunday, and Wild team doctors determined he did not have a serious injury. At this point, it's unclear how long Kaprizov will be sidelined, but the Wild will take it day by day. He should be considered doubtful to play Monday vs. the Jets.

Kaprizov has been on fire lately and will be a sorely missed offensive contributor if he is not able to suit up for Minnesota on Saturday against the Calgary Flames. The 27-year-old Kaprizov is currently riding a seven-game point streak, scoring 13 points (6G / 7A).

Eriksson Ek exited Thursday's game against the Montreal Canadiens in the first period after playing only 3:43 time-on-ice and did not play on Saturday. The 27-year-old Eriksson Ek is averaging 17:33 time-on-ice but only has eight points (5G / 3A) through 14 games, a 0.57 point per game pace, after producing at a 0.81 point per game pace over the previous two seasons.

Brodin (upper body) has not played since exiting last Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks after playing 16:38 time-on-ice but will return to the lineup on Tuesday. The 31-year-old Bordin is averaging 22:04 time-on-ice, second most among Minnesota defensemen, and has six points (1G / 5A) in 15 games this season.

Sturm suffered an upper-body injury on Thursday and has not played since. The 29-year-old Sturm is averaging 9:50 time-on-ice and has six points (3G / 3A) in 18 games this season.

Minnesota will turn to Gustavsson between the pipes for the fourth straight game on Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues. Gustavsson has been great all season but has been exceptional lately. Despite a modest 2-1-1 record in his past four games, Gustavsson has saved 110 of 116 shot for a dazzling .948 SV%.