Minnesota Wild News

Gustavsson will start the first game of the John Hynes era for the Minnesota Wild after Dean Evason was fired from his role as head coach on Monday. Saying Gustavsson has struggled this season is an understatement, but he has shown positive signs over the last couple of weeks. Despite failing to record a victory in his last four games (0-3-1), Gustavsson has not allowed more than three goals in a contest, posting a much-improved .903 SV%. The Wild are -158 home favourites against a St. Louis Blues team that has been outscored 26-18 over their past six games (3-3-0).

Brink will likely be featured in the Flyers lineup more regularly going forward, as Noah Cates will miss six to eight weeks with a lower-body injury. Brink has been very productive when in the lineup, scoring 10 points (4G / 6A) in 16 games this season. He is expected to play with Ryan Poehling and Joel Farabee.

Hartman did not receive a penalty on the play that was eventually deemed to be an illegal slew foot by NHL Player Safety. It's the third time Hartman has been suspended across ten seasons in the NHL. He will be eligible to return to the Wild lineup for Sunday's game against the Blackhawks.

Aube-Kubel is expected to be a healthy scratch on Monday, allowing Anthony Mantha to remain in the lineup. Aube-Kubel played six games straight, scoring three points (1G / 2A) and 13 hits while averaging nearly 13 minutes time-on-ice.

Brink has four goals, six assists, 25 SOG, four PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through 16 games this season but will be the odd man out of the Flyers' lineup Saturday vs. the New York Islanders. The 22-year-old right-winger will be replaced by Morgan Frost in the Flyers' lineup.

It was announced the Marc-Andre Fleury (illnesss) would be out Sunday so Filip Gustavsson takes the crease for the second-straight start Sunday in Detroit. The 25-year-old broke out in 2022-23 but has struggled mightily this season with his glaring 2-5-2 record, 4.03 GAA and .882 SV%. He will play the surging Detroit Red Wings, who have won two straight games and are impressively sixth in the NHL in goals per game (3.68).

Gustavsson has only two above-average performances this season (1-0-1), his first start and his most recent, in which he has saved a combined 71 of 72 shots (.986 SV%). Taking those two games out of the equation, Gustavsson has been horrendous, posting a .848 SV% in those seven games (1-4-1). Minnesota will hope their recent trip to Gustavsson's homeland of Sweden as part of the NHL Global Series will help him rediscover the magic he had in the crease last season. The Wild will host a Colorado Avalanche team on Friday evening that has scored five or more goals in four of their last five games (4-1-0)

Katchouk will return to the Blackhawks' lineup on Wednesday as Taylor Hall is not expected to play due to an undisclosed injury. Katchouk last played on November 16th when he scored one point (0G / 1A), one shot, and two hits in 13:06 time-on-ice.

Gustavsson draws his second start in five games for Minnesota after losing his previous start after allowing three goals on 25 shots (.880 SV%). The 25-year-old goaltender has had a disastrous start to 2023-24, with his 2-4-1 record, .872 SV% and 4.64 GAA. He takes on Ottawa in Sweden for the Global Series, who have won two straight contests and are currently second in the NHL in goals per game.

Sturm let the Sharks' know Tuesday that he would be stepping away from the team for personal matters and will miss their upcoming games vs. Vancouver and Seattle. The 28-year-old centre has struggled much like his San Jose counterparts in 2023-24, with his two assists, 16 SOG, eight PIMs, and a -12 plus/minus in 17 games.

Petry recorded a -3 plus/minus on Thursday, playing only 14:08 in the Red Wings 5-4 overtime loss at the hands of the Ottawa Senators and will be a healthy scratch for the team's matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday. The 35-year-old has six points (0G / 6A) in 11 games this season and will be replaced by Justin Holl on the back end.

McCarron has been a healthy scratch for the Predators' last game but will be back in Nashville's lineup Tuesday vs. Anaheim. The 28-year-old has a goal, an assist, four SOG and a +2 plus/minus in five games this season and will take over for Philip Tomasino on the Predators' fourth line.

With Minnesota allowed to carry an extra skater as they head to Sweden for their upcoming Global Series Daemon Hunt has been recalled from Iowa (AHL). The 21-year-old is not expected to crack the Wild lineup but if he does he will build off his zero points, and three SOG through five games that he had during his previous call-up.

Petersen recorded his first victory in nearly a calendar year, saving 35 of 37 shots (.946 SV%) in a 4-2 victory over his former team, the Los Angeles Kings. Petersen being loaned to Lehigh Valley (AHL) is a likely sign that Carter Hart is on the verge of returning to the Flyers lineup.

With the Minnesota Wild travelling to Sweden as part of the NHL Global Series, the team has recalled Jesper Wallstedt to serve as their third goaltender. Wallstedt, a native of Sweden, was the 20th overall pick of the Wild in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. In eight games with Iowa (AHL) this season (6-2-0), Wallstedt has a 2.01 GAA and .932 SV%.