Hartman has missed the last three games and will miss at least two more due to an upper-body injury. The 30-year-old Hartman was off to a strong start to the season before his injury, with two goals in his first four games.
Spurgeon will remain out of the lineup on Thursday but could return to action in one of the final three games of their seven-game road trip. After missing 66 games in 2023-24 due to injury, Jared Spurgeon has missed three straight games in the 2024-25 campaign due to a lower-body injury.
Minnesota, one of four teams without a regulation loss (4-0-2), will turn to Fleury between the pipes for the first time since their second game of the season on October 12th. Fleury was serviceable in his only performance of the season, allowing four goals on 34 shots (.882 SV%), ultimately falling in a shootout to the Seattle Kraken. Despite their early-season success, Minnesota is a +131 road underdog on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, coming off an 8-5 victory over the New Jersey Devils.
Ty Emberson will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes, allowing Dermott to re-enter the lineup for the Oilers. The 27-year-old Dermott has a -3 plus/minus, two blocks, and three hits in three games this season.
After missing 66 games in 2023-24 due to injury, Jared Spurgeon has missed three straight games in the 2024-25 campaign due to a lower-body injury. The 34-year-old Spurgeon was replaced by Declan Chisholm since he exited the lineup on October 12th.
Hartman will miss a second straight game on Tuesday when Minnesota visits the Florida Panthers. Hartman was off to a strong start to the season with two goals in his first four games.
For the fourth straight game, Minnesota will turn to Gustavsson between the pipes on Tuesday against the Florida Panthers. After a forgetful 2023-24 season, posting a pedestrian 3.06 GAA and .899 SV%, Gustavsson has been tremendous, starting the 2024-25 campaign with an outstanding 1.49 GAA and .950 SV% in four outings (3-0-1). That said, Minnesota will be hard-pressed for success against a Panthers club that has points in four straight (3-0-1) and will welcome Matthew Tkachuk (illness) back into the lineup.
Jiricek had 10 points (1G / 9A) in 43 games with the Blue Jackets last season. The talented 20-year-old offensive Czech defenseman had an impressive playoff run with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) last season, scoring 11 points (3G / 8A) in 14 games, and is trying to become a full-time NHLer this season.
Hartman showed no signs of an ailment in his last contest when he scored a goal in a 4-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Monday. He has two points (2G / 0A) in four games this season and will be a game-time decision on Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Originally expected to return on Tuesday, Eriksson Ek is likely to make his return on Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Eriksson Ek did not travel with Minnesota for the start of their seven-game road trip after he took an elbow to the face from Adam Larsson in the second period and went to the locker room in last Saturday's game. He missed the final 12:45 of the period before returning to the game in the third period with a full face shield. He only played one shift, though, left the game again and did not return.
Johansson has gotten off to a hot start in the first two games of the season with two points but will not play on Tuesday in St. Louis. The 34-year-old was a game-time decision on Sunday but ended up playing 14:57 time-on-ice.
Ty Emberson will draw into the lineup in favor of Dermott. The 27-year-old Dermott has a -3 plus/minus while averaging 16:59 time-on-ice through the first three games this season.
Johansson has gotten off to a hot start in the first two games of the season with two points but will be a game-time decision again on Tuesday in St. Louis. The 34-year-old was a game-time decision on Sunday but ended up playing 14:57 time-on-ice.
Gustavsson has been strong for Minnesota, starting two of three games to start the season, and will return to the crease on Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues. The 26-year-old Gustavsson has saved 64 of 68 shots (.941 SV%) through two games (1-0-1), an early indication that he may be returning to form after a forgettable 2023-24 campaign when he posted a 3.06 GAA and .899 SV% in 45 outings (20-18-4). Minnesota enters the action as slight -111 road favorites against St. Louis.
After missing 66 games in 2023-24 due to injury, Jared Spurgeon will unfortunately miss his second straight game of the 2024-25 campaign due to a lower-body injury suffered on Saturday. The 34-year-old was replaced by Declan Chisholm (illness) on Sunday.
Originally expected to return on Tuesday, Eriksson Ek will remain out of the lineup for at least one more game. Eriksson Ek did not travel with Minnesota for the start of their seven-game road trip after he took an elbow to the face from Adam Larsson in the second period and went to the locker room in Saturday's game. He missed the final 12:45 of the period before returning to the game in the third period with a full face shield. He only played one shift, though, and left the game again and did not return.
Boyd was recalled by Minnesota several days ago after Joel Eriksson Ek suffered a broken nose but has been reassigned to Iowa (AHL) with Eriksson Ek's impending return on Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues. The 31-year-old Boyd, a veteran of 296 NHL games, did not draw into the lineup for Minnesota and has two points (1G / 1A) in one game with Iowa (AHL) this season.
