It was announced the Marc-Andre Fleury (illnesss) would be out Sunday so Filip Gustavsson takes the crease for the second-straight start Sunday in Detroit. The 25-year-old broke out in 2022-23 but has struggled mightily this season with his glaring 2-5-2 record, 4.03 GAA and .882 SV%. He will play the surging Detroit Red Wings, who have won two straight games and are impressively sixth in the NHL in goals per game (3.68).
Gustavsson has only two above-average performances this season (1-0-1), his first start and his most recent, in which he has saved a combined 71 of 72 shots (.986 SV%). Taking those two games out of the equation, Gustavsson has been horrendous, posting a .848 SV% in those seven games (1-4-1). Minnesota will hope their recent trip to Gustavsson's homeland of Sweden as part of the NHL Global Series will help him rediscover the magic he had in the crease last season. The Wild will host a Colorado Avalanche team on Friday evening that has scored five or more goals in four of their last five games (4-1-0)
Katchouk will return to the Blackhawks' lineup on Wednesday as Taylor Hall is not expected to play due to an undisclosed injury. Katchouk last played on November 16th when he scored one point (0G / 1A), one shot, and two hits in 13:06 time-on-ice.
Gustavsson draws his second start in five games for Minnesota after losing his previous start after allowing three goals on 25 shots (.880 SV%). The 25-year-old goaltender has had a disastrous start to 2023-24, with his 2-4-1 record, .872 SV% and 4.64 GAA. He takes on Ottawa in Sweden for the Global Series, who have won two straight contests and are currently second in the NHL in goals per game.
Sturm let the Sharks' know Tuesday that he would be stepping away from the team for personal matters and will miss their upcoming games vs. Vancouver and Seattle. The 28-year-old centre has struggled much like his San Jose counterparts in 2023-24, with his two assists, 16 SOG, eight PIMs, and a -12 plus/minus in 17 games.
With Minnesota allowed to carry an extra skater as they head to Sweden for their upcoming Global Series Daemon Hunt has been recalled from Iowa (AHL). The 21-year-old is not expected to crack the Wild lineup but if he does he will build off his zero points, and three SOG through five games that he had during his previous call-up.
Adam Boqvist seems to be the odd man out of the Blue Jackets lineup as Jiricek skated alongside Jake Bean at the team's morning skate on Tuesday. Jiricek last played for the Blue Jackets on November 4th, recording one assist and one shot in 12:06 time-on-ice. The 19-year-old Czech defender has three points (1G / 2A) in 10 games with the Blue Jackets this season.
Petersen recorded his first victory in nearly a calendar year, saving 35 of 37 shots (.946 SV%) in a 4-2 victory over his former team, the Los Angeles Kings. Petersen being loaned to Lehigh Valley (AHL) is a likely sign that Carter Hart is on the verge of returning to the Flyers lineup.
With the Minnesota Wild travelling to Sweden as part of the NHL Global Series, the team has recalled Jesper Wallstedt to serve as their third goaltender. Wallstedt, a native of Sweden, was the 20th overall pick of the Wild in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. In eight games with Iowa (AHL) this season (6-2-0), Wallstedt has a 2.01 GAA and .932 SV%.
Jiricek has been a healthy scratch for the last two games, so he heads back to the AHL to make room for Patrik Laine, who will return from an upper-body injury. Jiricek had one goal and two assists in 10 games with Columbus during his call-up.
Spurgeon has missed the Wilds' first 13 games of the season due to an upper-body injury but has been activated from the LTIR Friday and will make his season debut Friday vs. Buffalo. The 33-year-old is entering his 14th NHL season and had 11 goals and 34 points in 79 games played in 2022-23.
