With Patrick Kane (upper body) sidelined, Tarasenko has seen an increase in deployment, including being on the top powerplay unit, but could be sidelined as well on Monday due to an illness. Tarasenko is averaging only 14:44 time-on-ice, his lowest total since his rookie season in 2012-13. He has 20 points (6G / 14A) in 48 games this season.
Sturm missed three games earlier this month with a lower-body injury, returned to the lineup for five games, and is once again sidelined. The 29-year-old Sturm is averaging 9:51 time-on-ice and has 11 points (5G / 6A) in 41 games this season.
Gustavsson did not play the previous two games due to an illness but will return to the crease on Thursday against the Utah Hockey Club. The 26-year-old netminder has struggled lately, allowing four or more goals in four straight (1-3-0). He has a 2.58 GAA and .914 SV% in 31 games (18-9-3). Minnesota enters Thursday's contest as -140 home favorites against a Utah team coming off an impressive 5-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets.
Updates surrounding Kaprizov's lower-body injury were few and far between, but after missing 12 straight games, he will finally return to the lineup on Thursday against the Utah Hockey Club. Before his injury, the 27-year-old Kaprizov was amid an excellent campaign among the league leaders, scoring 50 points (23G / 27A) in 34 games.
Spurgeon has missed nine straight with a lower-body injury but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Utah Hockey Club. Before his injury, Spurgeon had four goals, 13 points and 59 SOG while averaging 20:43 TOI in 32 games played this season.
With Jared Spurgeon poised to return from a lower-body injury, Minnesota has reassigned Jiricek to the Iowa Wild (AHL). The 21-year-old Jiricek averaged 13:02 time-on-ice, scoring two points (1G / 1A), in six games with Minnesota.
Sturm missed three games earlier this month with a lower-body injury, returned to the lineup for five games, and is once again sidelined. He is not eligible to return to the lineup until, at earliest, January 27th against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Spurgeon has missed nine straight with a lower-body injury but could return to the lineup on Thursday against the Utah Hockey Club. Before his injury, Spurgeon had four goals, 13 points and 59 SOG while averaging 20:43 TOI in 32 games played this season.
Updates surrounding Kaprizov's lower-body injury have been few and far between, but after missing 12 straight games, he could return to the lineup on Thursday against the Utah Hockey Club. Before his injury, the 27-year-old Kaprizov was amid an excellent campaign among the league leaders, scoring 50 points (23G / 27A) in 34 games.
The Wild's original plan was for Gustavsson to start Monday in Colorado, but he hasn't skated in a couple of days due to illness, so he'll serve as Marc-Andre Fleury's backup. Expect Gustavsson to be back between the pipes on Thursday vs. Utah.
Kaprizov has returned to the ice, practicing in a limited capacity, but will miss his 11th straight game on Saturday. He is still considered day-to-day, but updates have been few and far between regarding his status. Before his injury, the 27-year-old Kaprizov was having an excellent campaign among the league leaders, scoring 50 points (23G / 27A) in 34 games.
Faber has not played since suffering an upper-body injury on January 7th, missing four straight games. The 22-year-old Faber is averaging 24:58 time-on-ice and has 20 points (5G / 15A) in 41 games this season.
