Minnesota Wild News

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.

Petry recorded a -3 plus/minus on Thursday, playing only 14:08 in the Red Wings 5-4 overtime loss at the hands of the Ottawa Senators and will be a healthy scratch for the team's matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday. The 35-year-old has six points (0G / 6A) in 11 games this season and will be replaced by Justin Holl on the back end.

McCarron has been a healthy scratch for the Predators' last game but will be back in Nashville's lineup Tuesday vs. Anaheim. The 28-year-old has a goal, an assist, four SOG and a +2 plus/minus in five games this season and will take over for Philip Tomasino on the Predators' fourth line.

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.

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%.

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.

Hunt failed to pick up a point through five games played while averaging only 8:36 TOI/GP and has been reassigned to Iowa (AHL) Friday. The 21-year-old returns to Iowa, where he had seven PIMs and a -3 plus/minus in four games played.

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 is a game-time decision 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.

Fabbri was kept out of the lineup Thursday for precautionary reasons, easing him back into action after returning from missing 11 games due to a lower-body injury. In his return on Tuesday, he played 12:42, skating alongside Joe Veleno and Daniel Sprong, did not register a shot or point, and had a -2 plus/minus rating.

Aube-Kubel is expected to make his season debut on Friday with news that Anthony Mantha (upper-body) is being placed on the injured reserve. In 11 games with the Hershey Bears (AHL) this season, Aube-Kubel has three points (1G / 2A). He has primarily been an NHL-level player over the past several seasons, with 222 games and 62 points (25G / 37A) to his name. He was paired with Nic Dowd and Beck Malenstyn at morning skate on Friday.

Gustavsson will make his first appearance in the Wild crease since being pulled in last Saturday's shootout victory over the Rangers when he allowed three goals on just four shots. One of the breakout goaltenders of the 2022-23 season, Gustavsson has struggled mightily to recapture that same form this year. Through seven starts he owns an ugly .871 SV% and a 4.89 GAA. The good news for Gustavsson owners is that Marc-Andre Fleury has hardly played any better, with just an .898 SV% to show for his efforts, so the starting job could still be up for grabs if Gustavsson is able to get his game back on track. He's got a good chance of getting back in the win column tonight with the Wild being -105 to pick up the win in Buffalo.