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.
Since being acquired in a trade by Minnesota, Jiricek has spent most of his time in the AHL, and will now be sidelined for the remainder of the season. The highly skilled 21-year-old defenseman played six games with Minnesota, scoring two points (1G / 1A). He scored seven points (0G / 7A) in 27 games with the Iowa Wild (AHL) this season.
Foligno has not played since March 15th due to an upper-body injury but will draw back into Minnesota's lineup on Thursday against the Washington Capitals. The 33-year-old Foligno has zero points, a -7 plus/minus, and 37 hits in his last 10 games.
Minnesota's last contest with Gustavsson between the pipes was a 3-0 loss to the Dallas Stars, but not due to a poor effort from Gustavsson, who has been tremendous between the pipes. The 26-year-old Gustavsson has allowed only four total goals in his last four games (3-1-0), posting a superb .964 SV%. He has a 2.47 GAA and .918 SV% in 49 games this season (28-16-4). Still, Minnesota enters Thursday's contest as +139 home underdogs against a Washington Capitals squad that fell 3-2 to the Winnipeg Jets in their previous outing.
Foligno has not played since March 15th due to an upper-body injury but will likely draw back into Minnesota's lineup on Thursday against the Washington Capitals. The 33-year-old Foligno has zero points, a -7 plus/minus, and 37 hits in his last 10 games.
Aube-Kubel will draw in for Sam Carrick, who will miss Tuesday's game due to the birth of his child. Aube-Kubel has one goal and one assist in 19 games this season.
Fleury will get the nod between the pipes on Tuesday as the Wild get set to play their second game in as many nights. It will be Fleury's first appearance since March 9th, when he allowed two goals on 21 shots in a 3-1 loss to the Penguins. The future Hall of Famer has appeared in just 22 games this season, registering a 12-8-1 record and a .904 SV%. He'll need to be at his best on Tuesday as the Wild enter action at +185 on the money line.
Brodin made his return from a nine-game absence in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres, but missed Monday's game against the Dallas Stars, tending to a lower-body injury. The 31-year-old Brodin has been limited to only 39 games this season, scoring 19 points (4G / 15A) and averaging 22:38 time-on-ice.
Aube-Kubel scored two points (1G / 1A) in 19 games with the Buffalo Sabres this season but has yet to suit up for the Rangers since joining them before the trade deadline. The 28-year-old forward has one point (1G / 0A) in three games with the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL).
Brodin made his return from a nine-game absence in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres, but he will return to the sidelines on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars, tending to a lower-body injury. The 31-year-old Brodin has been limited to only 39 games this season, scoring 19 points (4G / 15A) and averaging 22:38 time-on-ice.
Minnesota has outscored their opposition 11-2 during a three-game winning streak and will roll with Gustavsson between the pipes on Monday against the Dallas Stars. The 26-year-old Gustavsson has been tremendous lately, posting a marvelous 0.67 GAA and .976 SV% in his last three games (3-0-0). He has a 2.48 GAA and .917 SV% in 48 appearances this season (28-15-4). Still, Minnesota enters Monday's contest as a +179 road underdog against a Dallas squad with points in four straight (2-0-2).
