Minnesota Wild News

After an uninspiring win over Italy and a loss to Finland, Sweden is making some changes to their lineup on Saturday. Johansson will draw into the lineup to replace Elias Lindholm, and will bump Jesper Bratt down to the 13th forward. Johansson, who has 37 points (13G / 24A) in 53 games with the Minnesota Wild this season, had eight points (4G / 4A) at the 2025 World Championships.

Hlavaj was the star of Day 1 of the tournament, standing on his head, stopping 39 of 40 shots to steal a 4-1 win over Finland. He was given yesterday off, but he'll return to the crease Saturday vs. Sweden. He'll have his hands full again, as Sweden rank second in the tournament in xG/gm (5.52) so far.

Gustavsson had a really rough first period but ultimately settled in to stop 20 of the 22 shots that he faced in Sweden's win over Italy on Wednesday. It wasn't pretty, but it was enough to beat the overmatched hosts, however Sweden will need him to be sharper against Finland on Friday. Gustavsson and the Swedes are -192 favourites vs. their bitter rivals.

Gustavsson has enjoyed another strong season in Minnesota, where he's gone 20-9-6 with a 2.64 GAA, .907 SV%, and three shutouts. Internationally, he hasn't played in the World Championships since 2024, where he was 6-1-0, and he struggled at the 4Nations last spring (0-2-0, 4.18 GAA, .813 SV%). He's not expected to be tested much on Wednesday, as Sweden are -50000 favourites and Italy has implied total of 1.44.

Gustavsson has enjoyed another strong season in Minnesota, where he's gone 20-9-6 with a 2.64 GAA, .907 SV%, and three shutouts. Internationally, he hasn't played in the World Championships since 2024, where he was 6-1-0, and he struggled at the 4Nations last spring (0-2-0, 4.18 GAA, .813 SV%). He's not expected to be tested much on Wednesday, as Sweden are -50000 favourites and Italy has implied total of 0.16.

Hlavaj has spent most of the 2025–26 season with Iowa (AHL), where he’s gone 5-9-4 with a 3.33 GAA and .884 SV% in 18 games. He started all three of Slovakia’s Olympic qualifying games, posting a 3-0-0 record with a 1.67 GAA and .929 SV%, and was also solid at last year’s World Championships (2-3-0, 1.99 GAA, .912 SV%). He’ll have his work cut out for him on Wednesday, though, as Slovakia enter the matchup as +320 underdogs.

Gustavsson allowed three goals on 17 shots (.850 SV%) in Monday's 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens and has not needed to be spectacular to garner results in recent weeks. The 27-year-old Swedish goalie has helped his team collect a point in six straight games (5-0-1) despite boasting a less-than-stellar 2.94 GAA and .895 SV%. Minnesota enters the action on Wednesday as a -118 road favourite against a Nashville Predators team that has scored 10 goals in its last two games (2-0-0).

Pitlick was a late addition to the Wild lineup on Monday, slotting in for Marcus Foligno (illness). He will skate with Vinnie Hinostroza and Nico Sturm on Minnesota's fourth line.

Bogosian has been sidelined for a month because of a lower-body injury, but will return to the lineup on Monday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 35-year-old veteran defenseman is averaging 14:52 time-on-ice, recording four points (1G / 3A), 20 hits, and 20 blocks in 23 games this season.

Wallstedt was originally expected to back up Filip Gustavsson on Monday, but is unavailable due to an illness. Cal Petersen will serve as the backup in his place.

Foligno was a surprise scratch on Monday, with the team not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Tyler Pitlick will draw into the lineup in his place.

Petersen will serve as the backup netminder in place of Jesper Wallstedt, who is out with an illness. Filip Gustavsson will get the start.

Kierstad recorded one assist in four games with Minnesota this season, but has spent most of the 2025-26 campaign in the AHL. The undrafted 27-year-old defenseman has four assists in 28 games with Iowa (AHL) this season.

Jesper Wallstedt is battling an illness and unavailable on Monday, prompting Minnesota to recall Petersen from Iowa. The 31-year-old Petersen will serve as Filip Gustavsson's backup on Monday and is unlikely to see any playing time during his call-up.

Pitlick scored a goal in Minnesota's previous game, a 7-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers, but he will head to the sidelines as a healthy scratch on Monday. The 34-year-old forward has two goals in 29 games this season.

Wallstedt was terrific in Minnesota's previous game, saving 39 of 42 shots (.929 SV%) in a 7-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers. That said, Minnesota has regularly rotated goalies, and they would likely have turned to Filip Gustavsson on Monday even if Wallstedt had been healthy. The 23-year-old goalie has a 2.72 GAA and .913 SV% in 23 games this season (14-5-4).