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.
Fabbri will fill the lineup spot previously occupied by Nick Bjugstad, who was traded to the Devils on Wednesday afternoon. Fabbri has one goal and three assists in 14 games this season.
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).
Foligno has not played the past two games for the Blackhawks, but will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 38-year-old Foligno is averaging 12:55 time-on-ice and has 10 points (2G / 8A) in 32 games this season.
Foligno has not played the past two games for the Blackhawks, but should return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 38-year-old Foligno is averaging 12:55 time-on-ice and has 10 points (2G / 8A) in 32 games this season.
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.
Fabbri is averaging 12:32 time-on-ice and has four points (1G / 3A) in 14 games this season, but will be a healthy scratch on Monday. Jake Neighbours (upper body) will draw return to the lineup as Fabbri's replacement.
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).
Bogosian has been sidelined for a month because of a lower-body injury, but could 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.
Sturm has been battling an illness and will return from a one-game absence on Monday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 30-year-old German forward is averaging 11:18 time-on-ice and has nine points (3G / 6A) in 33 games this season.
Minnesota is among the hottest teams in the NHL over the last month and has done so without having to rely on its goaltending. That said, Gustavsson was terrific in his previous outing, saving 29 of 30 shots (.967 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames. The 27-year-old Swedish goalie has a 2.77 GAA and .901 SV% in his last 10 games (6-2-2). Minnesota enters the action on Monday as -123 home favourites against a Montreal Canadiens team that has outscored its opposition 14-7 during a three-game winning streak.
