Zuccarello's absence on Monday night was a surprise with the team not giving any indication he would miss the game in Pittsburgh prior to warmups. The 36-year-old is averaging a point-per-game this season, registering six goals and 22 assists across 28 games.
Patrik Laine was placed on the injured reserve with a clavicle fracture, allowing the Blue Jackets to recall Brendan Guance from the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL. In 24 games with Cleveland this season, Gaunce has 15 points (6G / 9A) and a +5 plus/minus rating.
Minnesota will turn to Fleury on the back end of a back-to-back when they face off against the Boston Bruins. The veteran netminder and future half-of-famer has only played one of the last seven games for Minnesota as Filip Gustavsson has demanded the crease with exceptional play lately. Fleury has a 3.29 GAA and .887 SV% through 11 games this season (4-5-2) while posting a quality start rate of only 45.5%, the lowest total of his career.
Gustavsson will start for the fourth straight game on Monday and look for his fourth straight victory in the process. The Swedish goaltender's turnaround this season has been remarkable. Gustavsson has followed up a 10-game stretch (1-6-2) where he posted a .864 SV%, with an astounding .954 SV% in his seven games since (6-1-0). Minnesota is a slight +101 road underdog on Monday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who will be playing desperately after being embarrassed by the Toronto Maple Leafs in their last contest, a 7-0 blowout loss.
Foligno exited Thursday's matchup against the Calgary Flames with an undisclosed injury after playing only 10:20 time-on-ice but appears to be no worse for wear as he is expected to return to the lineup on Saturday. Foligno has been held off the scoresheet in four straight games, recording only two shots and nine hits.
Gustavsson will start for the third straight game on Saturday and look for his third consecutive victory in the process. The Swedish netminder has been outstanding lately, allowing two or fewer goals in each of his last six appearances (5-1-0), posting a phenomenal .950 SV%. Gustavsson and the Wild will face off against the Vancouver Canucks, who they played less than two weeks ago in a 3-0 loss when Gustavsson allowed two goals on 17 shots (.882 SV%).
Spurgeon was not able to play on Thursday due to a lower-body injury and will be a game-time decision on Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks. Minnesota turned to Brock Faber in Spurgeon's absence, playing a season-high 30:08 and seeing increased exposure in all on-ice situations.
Johnson will take the place of MacKenzie Entwistle (illness) on Thursday. Johnson has two goals and zero assists in 17 games this season.
Brodin did not play in the last contest for Minnesota on December 10th due to an upper-body injury and has since been played on the long-term injured reserve. He last played on Friday against the Edmonton Oilers, exiting the game after only 15:41 time-on-ice after an awkward hit. Brodin had nine points (1G / 8A) in 25 games this season, averaging 23:59 time-on-ice, and will be a big loss on the Wild blue line.
Gustavsson saved all 24 shots he faced in his last outing for his second shutout of the season and will return to the crease on Thursday against the Calgary Flames. After a horrendous 10-game stretch (1-6-2) where he posted a .864 SV%, Gustavsson has been tremendous in his last five games (4-1-0), dating back to John Hynes taking over as Minnesota's head coach, posting a ridiculous .951 SV% in the process. The Wild are -146 home favourites against a Flames team that has lost three straight and five of their last six (1-4-1).
Spurgeon did not practice on Wednesday and appears to be a game-time decision ahead of Thursday's contest against the Calgary Flames. Spurgeon was recently quarterbacking the top powerplay unit but if he is unavailable to play on Thursday, Brock Faber could be a candidate to slot into that role, as he had some success there earlier this month.
Hunt had a goal, eight assists, nine PIMs and a +3 plus/minus in 14 games with Iowa (AHL) and has been recalled to Minnesota Wednesday. The 21-year-old defensemen was Minnesota's 2020 3rd round pick and made his first NHL appearance earlier this season, appearing in five games with no points while averaging 8:36 TOI.
Johnson will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Ryan Donato (illness) to make his return after a two-game absence. Johnson has two points (2G / 0A) while averaging 11:45 time-on-ice through 17 games with the Blackhawks this season.
