Gaunce has 177 games of NHL experience, scoring 28 career points (13G / 15A), but has primarily been an AHL played the past few seasons. The 30-year-old defenseman has 14 points (8G / 6A) in 21 games with the Iowa Wild (AHL) this season.
Gustavsson was scheduled to start on Sunday but was unexpectedly sidelined due to a minor lower-body injury. The 26-year-old Gustavsson is amid a Vezina-worthy season, posting a 2.24 GAA and .922 SV% in 22 games (14-5-3) and is not expected to be out of the lineup for long. Marc-Andre Fluery will be between the pipes for Minnesota on Wednesday.
With Filip Gustavsson (lower body) still sidelined, Fleury will return to the crease for the second time in the last three games. The 40-year-old Fleury has been solid when called upon this season, posting a 2.51 GAA and .909 SV% in nine appearances (6-1-1). He was excellent in his last outing, saving 21 of 22 shots (.955 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Minnesota enters Wednesday's contest as +126 home underdogs against a Florida Panthers club that has been shut out in two of their last three games (1-2-0).
Gustavsson was scheduled to start on Sunday but was unexpectedly sidelined due to a minor lower-body injury. The 26-year-old Gustavsson is amid a Vezina-worthy season, posting a 2.24 GAA and .922 SV% in 22 games (14-5-3) and is not expected to be out of the lineup for long. Marc-Andre Fluery will likely be between the pipes for Minnesota on Wednesday.
Gaunce is yet to make his Wild debut after signing a two-way contract in the off-season. The 30-year-old forward has registered 13 goals and 15 assists in 177 career NHL games split between the Canucks, Bruins, and Blue Jackets.
Johnson was a healthy scratch on Sunday, the third time in the last four games, and has been reassigned to the Iowa Wild (AHL). The 26-year-old Johnson is averaging 9:32 time-on-ice and has zero point in three games with Minnesota this season.
Dermott has not played since November 19th and was placed on waivers on Thursday by the Oilers. The 27-year-old defenseman has played 10 games this season, averaging 13:05 time-on-ice, recording zero points, 10 blocks, and six hits.
Minnesota had a forgetful performance on Thursday, a 7-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, and will turn to Fleury between the pipes on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Fleury entered the crease in relief of Filip Gustavsson in Thursday's loss, allowing two goals on nine shots (.778 SV%). The veteran Fleury has a 2.71 GAA and .905 SV% in eight appearances this season (5-1-1).
Zuccarello has not played since suffering an injury on November 14th, missing 13 games, but could return to the lineup on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Before his injury, the 37-year-old Zuccarello had not missed a beat, playing predominantly alongside Kirill Kaprizov, scoring 14 points (6G/ 8A) in 16 games this season.
Middleton suffered the injury in the first period of Thursday's game and was unable to return. The 28-year-old Middleton is averaging a career-high 20:36 time-on-ice, recording 13 points (5G / 8A), 76 blocks, and 42 hits in 29 games this season.
