Brodin did not play in Minnesota's last game due to a lower-body injury but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. Brodin is averaging 23:37 time-on-ice, and his presence on the blueline was sorely missed in a 5-4 loss to the St. Louis Blues.
Despite recording a shutout in his last outing, Minnesota opted to start Marc-Andre Fleury in the following two games, both losses. Minnesota will return to Gustavsson between the pipes on Thursday in a favourable matchup against the San Jose Sharks. Minnesota enters the action as a significant -389 home favourite.
Lauko has dressed for the previous four games for the Bruins' but finds himself the odd man out of Boston's lineup on Wednesday as he is replaced by James van Riemsdyk. The 23-year-old Lauko averages only 9:45 TOI per game in his complimentary role but has two goals, eight points, and 32 PIMs in 53 games played this season.
Brodin did not play in Minnesota's last game due to a lower-body injury but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup. Brodin is averaging 23:37 time-on-ice, and his presence on the blueline was sorely missed in a 5-4 loss to the St. Louis Blues.
Eriksson Ek has not played the last five games due to a lower-body injury but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup. Eriksson Ek has been tremendous for Minnesota this season, scoring 60 points (29G / 31A) in 66 games, only one point shy of his career-high set last season.
Peart was a second-round pick of Minnesota in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and has earned himself a three-year, entry-level contract. The 20-year-old Peart has spent the last three seasons playing collegiate hockey with St. Cloud State and had 11 points (3G / 11A) in 38 games this season.
Crotty made his NHL debut for the Coyotes on Sunday and registered four hits in 10:03 time-on-ice in a 4-2 loss to the Dallas Stars. The 24-year-old Crotty was the 82nd overall pick of the Coyotes in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and has spent the entirety of the last four seasons playing with the Tuscon Roadrunners (AHL).
Eriksson Ek has not played the last four games due to a lower-body injury but could return to the lineup on Saturday against the St. Louis Blues. Eriksson Ek has been tremendous for Minnesota this season, scoring 60 points (29G / 31A) in 66 games, only one point shy of his career-high set last season.
Jiricek has been in Cleveland (AHL) since early January but will head back to Columbus on Thursday on an emergency basis. The 20-year-old rookie defenseman has played well despite only averaging 14:46 TOI per game this season, with a goal, eight assists, 33 SOG, 20 PIMs, and a -1 plus/minus through 36 games played.
Brodin exited Tuesday's 4-0 victory over the Anaheim Ducks after playing only 16:30 time-on-ice due to a lower-body injury. Brodin is averaging 23:37 time-on-ice this season and would be a major loss for a Minnesota team that has already lost Jared Spurgeon for the duration of the season.
After a night off yesterday in the front end of a back-to-back, the Minnesota crease will be returned to Fleury on Wednesday for the fifth time in the last six games. The veteran netminder has turned the clock back lately, playing his best hockey of the season, allowing three or fewer goals in seven straight (5-1-1) while posting a tremendous .937 SV%. Minnesota enters action as a +130 road underdog against the Los Angeles Kings.
Marc-Andre Fleury has controlled Minnesota's crease lately, but the team will turn to Gustavsson on Tuesday in the front end of a back-to-back. Gustavsson last played on March 8th when he allowed two goals on 40 shots in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche. Minnesota and Gustavsson have a favourable matchup as -215 road favourites against an Anaheim Ducks club that has been shut out twice in their last three games.
Kumpulainen was the second-round pick of the Minnesota Wild in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft and has been rewarded with a three-year, entry-level contract. The 18-year-old Kumpulainen has 55 points (28G / 27A) in 56 games with the Oshawa Generals (OHL) this season.
