Minnesota Wild News

Eriksson Ek suffered a lower-body injury vs. the Sharks on Tuesday and will not play Thursday vs. the Stars. Head coach Bruce Boudreau said that he “hopes” it doesn’t keep him out for no longer than a week. Luke Kunin will replace Eriksson Ek in the lineup on Thursday.

Fleury stopped 33 of 34 shots in the Golden Knights win over the Flames on Wednesday. Fleury has been fabulous in his last four games, stopping 109 of the 111 shots (.982 SV%) that he faced while going 4-0-0 with two shutouts. He is a must-start regardless of the matchup, but even more so vs. a Vancouver team that has lost 12 of their last 16 (4-9-3).

Bogosian missed Monday’s game against Edmonton but will play Thursday in Chicago. Bogosian has been held pointless in his last five games and has just 15 points (2G / 13A) in 58 games this season. He will replace Matt Hunwick.

Johansson underwent evaluation at Massachusetts General Hospital after leaving Tuesday’s game vs. the Hurricanes and was diagnosed with a lung contusion. Johansson will be re-evaluated in one week. Peter Cehlarik will move onto the second line on Thursday with Johansson sidelined.

Fleury stopped all 19 shots that he faced in the Golden Knights shutout win over the Canucks on Sunday. Fleury has posted back-to-back shutouts and has won three in a row while stopping 76 of the last 77 shots (.987 SV%) that he has faced. Tonight he faces the Flames for the second time this season—he stopped all 29 shots that he faced in a 2-0 shutout win in their first meeting (Nov.23).

Shore has a charley horse after being kneed by Ian Cole on Sunday and will not play on Tuesday. Shore has recorded six points (2G / 4A) in 20 games since being acquired by the Ducks.

Johansson was acquired from the Devils on Monday and will skate on the second line with David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk in his debut. Johansson will likely see some power-play time as well, putting him in an opportunity to succeed right away.

Hartman was acquired from the Predators in the Wayne Simmonds deal on Monday and is expected to slide in for Simmonds on the third line on Tuesday.

The Stars confirmed what was originally feared, a broken arm that will require surgery and cost him at least one month. This is a horrible break for the Stars, who paid a premium to acquire Zuccarello from the Rangers. However, if they can stay afloat in the Western Conference playoff race, Zuccarello should be available for some meaningful games down the stretch and ultimately the playoffs, should they make it.

Johansson really got hot close to the deadline, scoring six goals with six assists (12 points) in the last 13 games and heads to Boston where he projects to skate with David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk. Johansson, who has nine power-play points (2 PPG / 7 PPA) should help bolster the Bruins second PP-unit as well.

Hartman was acquired for a first and fourth-round picks at least year’s deadline but didn’t have the same effectiveness in the Predators bottom-6 as he did in Chicago. Hartman has a nice blend of physicality and offence that should help replace losing Simmonds on the Flyers’ third-line. This trade allows Philadelphia to continue to fight for a playoff spot without losing Simmonds for nothing.

Nyquist has enjoyed a quality campaign while playing mostly with Dylan Larkin, who is having a breakout season of his own. Nyquist has scored 15 goals with 33 assists (48 points) in 61 games with the Red Wings and the pending free agent heads to San Jose where he joins one of the deepest forward groups in the NHL. With the Sharks’ top-6 pretty much cemented in place, the third line with Joe Thornton seems like a logical landing spot for Nqyuist.

Zuccarello’s career in Dallas got off to a great start, scoring a goal with an assist in his first 13:35 TOI before leaving the game with an upper-body injury. The Stars gave up a conditional second and third round pick for Zuccarello on Saturday and it looks like the veteran winger will be out until at least late-March.