Kaprizov was a surprise scratch on Thursday, with the Wild only announcing his absence minutes before warmups. His injury is not expected to keep him out long-term, but he will be sidelined again on Saturday against the Dallas Stars. Minnesota's offense struggled on Thursday without Kaprizov, losing 2-1 to the Chicago Blackhawks.
In a heated battle against their Central Divison rival, the Dallas Stars, Minnesota will turn to Gustavsson. The 27-year-old Swedish goalie has struggled in his last two games (1-1-0), posting a 3.59 GAA and .833 SV%. That said, he has a solid 1.88 GAA and .932 SV% in seven games (5-2-) since returning from the Olympic Break.
Kaprizov was a surprise scratch on Thursday, with the Wild only announcing his absence minutes before warmups. The Wild added that he is day-to-day with the injury, and we should get an update on his status ahead of their game against the Stars on Saturday.
With Bobby Brink (upper body) returning from a multi-game absence, Fabbri will head to the sidelines to accommodate his return. The 30-year-old Fabbri is averaging 9:08 time-on-ice and has zero points through four games with Minnesota.
Minnesota acquired Brink in a trade from Philadelphia before the trade deadline, but he battled an upper-body ailment that has kept him sidelined for over a week. The 24-year-old has played three games with Minnesota so far, recording one goal and a +2 plus/minus rating.
Wallstedt made an early case for winning the Calder trophy for the NHL's best rookie earlier this season, posting an outstanding 1.45 GAA and .954 SV% during a 10-game stretch (9-1-0), but has not been able to maintain that pace. The 23-year-old Swedish goalie has a less-than-stellar 3.09 GAA and .899 SV% in six appearances since returning from the Olympic break (0-2-2). Still, Minnesota enters Thursday's contest as sizable -220 home favourites in a rematch against a Chicago Blackhawks team that they defeated 4-3 in overtime on Tuesday.
Eriksson Ek has battled through a couple of injuries this season, but nothing that has sidelined him long-term, which seems to be the case with his most recent ailment, a lower-body injury listed day-to-day. The 29-year-old Eriksson Ek is averaging 19:18 time-on-ice, recording 44 points (17G / 27A), 92 hits, and 173 shots in 62 games this season. That said, he has struggled lately, with only two assists in his last nine games.
Gustavsson has been outstanding since returning from the Olympic break, but had a forgetful performance in his most recent outing, allowing four goals on 18 shots (.778 SV%) in a 4-2 loss to the New York Rangers. The loss ended a five-game stretch for Gustavsson (4-1-0) during which he boasted an outstanding 1.21 GAA and .960 SV%. Minnesota enters Tuesday's contest as -173 road favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks team that has scored three or fewer goals in six straight games (2-2-2).
Haight made his NHL debut earlier this season, but is still searching for his first career point through five games. The 21-year-old forward, a second-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, has 23 points (12G / 11A) in 43 games with the Iowa Wild (AHL) this season.
Wallstedt returned from the Olympic break with a poor performance, allowing five goals on 37 shots (.865 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Utah Mammoth. That said, the 23-year-old Swedish goalie has turned things around since, despite losing both of his subsequent outings (0-0-2), posting an excellent 1.86 GAA and .935 SV%.
Minnesota acquired Brink in a trade from Philadelphia last week, but he is battling an upper-body ailment and missed Thursday's game against his former team. The 24-year-old has played three games with Minnesota so far and scored a goal for his first point with the team in Tuesday's 5-0 win over the Utah Mammoth.
Gustavsson seemed to be suffering some mid-season fatigue, posting a pedestrian 2.96 GAA and .893 SV% in 13 games (8-1-3) leading into the Olympic break. That said, the 27-year-old Swedish goalie has returned to action well rested and motivated, posting a dazzling 1.21 GAA and .960 SV% in five games (4-1-0) since NHL action has resumed.
Fabbri will draw into the lineup on Thursday in place of the injured Bobby Brink. Fabbri has one goal and three assists in 17 games this season split between the Blues and Wild.
Minnesota acquired Brink in a trade from Philadelphia last week, but he is battling an upper-body ailment and will miss Thursday's game against his former team. The 24-year-old has played three games with Minnesota so far and scored a goal for his first point with the team in Tuesday's 5-0 win over the Utah Mammoth.
Minnesota acquired Brink in a trade from Philadelphia last week, but he is battling an upper-body ailment and his status for Thursday's game against his former team is uncertain. The 24-year-old has played three games with Minnesota so far and scored a goal for his first point with the team in Tuesday's 5-0 win over the Utah Mammoth.
