Spurgeon was the unlikely recipient of a Zachary L'Heureux slew-foot in Minnesota's previous game and is considered week-to-week with a lower-body injury. The injury is not as bad as originally expected according to Minnesota's training staff but the team will still be missing their captain mightily, who had four goals, 13 points and 59 SOG while averaging 20:43 TOI in 32 games played this season.
Minnesota will turn to Fleury between the pipes for the first time in two weeks. Fleury was unsuccessful in his most recent outing, allowing two goals on 18 shots (.889 SV%) in a 2-1 loss to the Utah Hockey Club. The veteran 40-year-old Fleury has a 2.81 GAA and .898 SV% through 11 games this season (6-3-1). Minnesota enters Thursday's contest as +142 road underdogs against a Washington Capitals team coming off a 3-1 win over the Boston Bruins.
Lambos was the 26th overall pick of Minnesota in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old defenseman has yet to play an NHL game. He has five points (2G / 3A) in 27 games with the Iowa Wild (AHL) this season.
Spurgeon exited Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Nashville Predators after being slew-footed by Zachary L'Heureux, leaving the game after only playing 7:53 time-on-ice. L'Heureux was not issued any penalties on the play. Minnesota will likely provide an update on Spurgeon before they return to the ice on Thursday against the Washington Capitals. Still, the outlook doesn't seem promising as Spurgeon was seen leaving the arena with crutches.
Gustavsson was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 34 of 36 shots (.944 SV%) in a 3-1 losing effort to the Ottawa Senators, but will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Nashville Predators. The 26-year-old Gustavsson has an outstanding 2.25 GAA and .923 SV% in 25 games this season (16-6-3). Minnesota enters Tuesday's contest as -127 home favorites against a Nashville club coming off a 3-0 loss to the Winnipeg Jets last night.
Gustavsson was solid in his return from a lower-body injury on Monday, saving 28 of 31 shots (.903 SV%) in a 4-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, and will return to the crease on Friday against the Dallas Stars. The 26-year-old Gustavsson boasts a terrific 2.28 GAA and .921 SV% in 23 games this season (15-5-3). Minnesota, without their leading scorer Kirill Kaprizov, enters Friday's contest as +186 road underdogs against a Dallas Stars club coming off a 3-2 win over Utah HC.
Kaprizov will not play against the Dallas Stars on Friday, a crushing blow for a Minnesota team already without top-six forward Joel Eriksson Ek. The 27-year-old Kaprizov has been sensational this season, among the league leaders, scoring 50 points (23G / 27A) in 34 games.
Gustavsson has been away from the team for five games, healing from a lower-body injury, but will return to the crease on Monday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 26-year-old Gustavsson allowed nine goals on 51 shots (.824 SV%) in his last two games but has been one of the best goalies in the NHL this season, posting a stellar 2.24 GAA and .922 SV% in 22 games (14-5-3). Minnesota enters Monday's contest as sizeable -209 home favorites against a Chicago club they defeated 3-2 on November 29th.
Gustavsson has been away from the team for five games, healing from a lower-body injury, but could return to the crease on Monday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 26-year-old Gustavsson allowed nine goals on 51 shots (.824 SV%) in his last two games but has been one of the best goalies in the NHL this season, posting a stellar 2.24 GAA and .922 SV% in 22 games (14-5-3). Minnesota enters Monday's contest as sizeable -209 home favorites against a Chicago club they defeated 3-2 on November 29th.
Trenin has missed the last four games with an upper-body injury suffered on December 12th. In his first season with Minnesota, Trenin is averaging 13:37 time-on-ice, recording three points (2G / 1A) and 82 hits in 29 games.
