Minnesota Wild News

Minnesota will turn to Gustavsson in the crease on Friday as they can virtually cement a berth in the playoffs with a win over the Calgary Flames. Gustavsson was solid in his most recent outing, saving 23 of 25 shots (.920 SV%) in a 3-2 victory over the Dallas Stars. The 26-year-old netminder has a solid 2.54 GAA and .915 SV% in 55 appearances this season (30-18-6). Minnesota enters Friday's contest as -116 road favorites against a Calgary team with points in four straight (2-0-2).

Justin Brazeau will be a healthy scratch on Friday against the Calgary Flames, allowing Hinostroza to re-enter the lineup. The 31-year-old Hinostroza is averaging 13:07 time-on-ice and has 10 points (5G / 5A) in 37 games this season.

Middleton missed the last two games with an upper-body injury, but he will travel on the Wild's two-game road-trip that starts Friday in Calgary. Middleton has been great in banger leagues this season, posting 20 points (8G / 12A) to go along with 1.4 SOG, 1.5 hits and 2.4 BS per game.

Kaprizov has not played since late January but recently returned to practice and is expected to draw back into the lineup on Wednesday against the San Jose Sharks. Before his injury, the 27-year-old Kaprizov had been outstanding offensively, scoring 52 points (23G / 29A) in 37 games.

Eriksson Ek has not played since February 22nd but recently returned to practice and is expected to draw back into the lineup on Wednesday against the San Jose Sharks. The 28-year-old Eriksson Ek scored 24 points (9G / 15A) in 42 games this season, a significant decline from his 60+ point campaigns over his previous two seasons.

Kaprizov has not played since late January but recently returned to practice and is expected to draw back into the lineup on Wednesday against the San Jose Sharks. Before his injury, the 27-year-old Kaprizov had been outstanding offensively, scoring 52 points (23G / 29A) in 37 games.

Sturm has not played the past few games for the Panthers, battling an undisclosed ailment, but he could return to the lineup on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. He has 14 points (7G / 7A) in 58 games this season.

Minnesota has salvaged a point in two straight losses (0-0-2), keeping them in control of a Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. They will turn to Gustavsson between the pipes on Friday against the New York Islanders, looking to build on his 2.54 GAA and .915 SV% through 53 games this season (29-17-6). The 26-year-old Gustavsson has a 3.88 GAA and .880 SV% in his last three games (0-1-2). The Wild enter Friday's contest as +109 road underdogs against an Islanders team amid a six-game losing skid (0-4-2).

Sturm exited Tuesday's game against the Montreal Canadiens early in the first period after only 0:34 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. The 29-year-old Sturm is averaging 10:06 time-on-ice and has 14 points (7G / 7A) in 58 games this season. Tomas Nosek will draw into Florida's lineup a Strum's replacement.

Eriksson Ek has not played since February 22nd but recently returned to practice in a non-contact jersey and is expected to return to the lineup before the end of the season. The 28-year-old Eriksson Ek scored 24 points (9G / 15A) in 42 games this season, a significant decline from his 60+ point campaigns over his previous two seasons.

Kaprizov has not played since late January but recently returned to practice in a non-contact jersey and is expected to return to the lineup before the end of the regular season. Before his injury, the 27-year-old Kaprizov had been outstanding offensively, scoring 52 points (23G / 29A) in 37 games.

Minnesota has lost four of their last five (1-3-1) and will turn to Gustavsson between the pipes on Wednesday as they hang on to the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. Despite a 3-2 shootout loss to the New Jersey Devils, Gustavsson played well in his most recent outing, saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%). The 26-year-old netminder had a dazzling 1.98 GAA and .930 SV% through 13 games in March (7-4-2). Minnesota enters Wednesday's contest as +143 road underdogs against a Rangers team coming off a 6-1 win over the San Jose Sharks.

Sturm exited Tuesday's game against the Montreal Canadiens early in the first period after only 0:34 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. The 29-year-old Sturm is averaging 10:06 time-on-ice and has 14 points (7G / 7A) in 58 games this season. An update on his status will likely be provided before the Panthers return to the ice on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

After carrying Minnesota to a three-game winning streak with an elite .976 SV%, Gustavsson has lost two of his last three (1-2-0) while posting a more pedestrian .901 SV%. Still, the 26-year-old Gustavsson will return to the crease on Monday against the New Jersey Devils, looking to improve his 2.51 GAA and .916 SV% through 51 games this season (29-17-4). Minnesota enters the action on Monday as +131 road underdogs against a Devils team that defeated them 5-2 on Saturday.