Minnesota Wild News

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.

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.

Bogosian has missed the last two games and was a game-time decision on Thursday as he continues to recover from an upper-body injury. Since joining Minnesota earlier this season, the veteran defenseman has one point (0G / 1A), 11 blocks, 14 hits, and is averaging 13:10 time-on-ice through nine games.

Dermott has not played since November 7th, when he recorded one assist and fired three shots on goal in a 4-3 victory over the Seattle Kraken. He has no goals and one assist in ten games this season.

Bogosian has missed the last two games and will be a game-time decision on Thursday as he continues to recover from an upper-body injury. Since joining Minnesota earlier this season, the veteran defenseman has one point (0G / 1A), 11 blocks, 14 hits, and is averaging 13:10 time-on-ice through nine games.