One day after the Wild claimed Robby Fabbri off of waivers, the reimagining of their bottom-6 continued on Tuesday night when they acquired McCarron from the Nashville Predators. McCarron is a 6-foot-6 centre who was a prominent penalty killer in Nashville, leading all forwards in shorthanded TOI/gm (2:29), which ranks top-15 leagues wide. McCarron is also tied-16th among forwards in hits (165).
Gustavsson fell out of favour for Team Sweden at the Olympics, but has returned from the NHL stoppage with stellar results, saving 65 of 68 shots (.956 SV%) in two combined games (1-1-0). Before the break, the 27-year-old Gustavsson was battling some adversity in his last 10 appearances despite a solid 6-1-2 record, posting a subpar 3.15 GAA and .891 SV%. Minnesota enters the action on Tuesday as +122 home underdogs against a Tampa Bay Lightning team looking to rebound after a disappointing 6-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres.
Brodin has battled injuries this season, with his most recent lower-body ailment keeping him sidelined since January 12th. The 32-year-old is averaging 21:20 time-on-ice, recording 15 points (3G / 12A) through 42 games this season, and is hopeful to return on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Foligno did not play in Sunday's 3-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues and has subsequently been placed on Injured Reserve, set to be sidelined on a week-to-week basis. The 34-year-old forward is averaging 12:57 time-on-ice and has 11 points (6G / 5A) in 48 games this season.
Fabbri was acquired off of waivers from the St. Louis Blues on Monday and will make his debut with Minnesota on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 30-year-old forward scored four points (1G / 3A) in 15 games with the Blues this season.
The Blues signed Fabbri in December to help fill in for injured players, but with health returning to their lineup, Fabbri was placed on waivers and claimed by Minnesota. The 30-year-old forward scored four points (1G / 3A) in 15 games with the Blues.
Foligno did not play in Sunday's 3-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues and has subsequently been placed on Injured Reserve. The 34-year-old Foligno will miss at least two more games before he is eligible to return. He is averaging 12:57 time-on-ice and has 11 points (6G / 5A) in 48 games this season.
Wallstedt will make his first post-Olympic start when the Wild travel to Utah on Friday. Wallstedt did briefly appear in last night's win in Colorado, allowing a goal on two shots after Filip Gustavsson left the game late in the third due to an illness. The 23-year-old Wallstedt has been excellent when called upon this season, registering a 14-5-4 record and a .912 SV% across 24 appearances. The Wild enter action on Friday at +115 on the money line.
Faber played an important shutdown role in Team USA's Gold Medal performance at the Olympics, scoring two points (1G / 1A) in six games, and is set to return to Minnesota's lineup on Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche. Minnesota's recent acquisition of Quinn Hughes has helped Faber elevate his game to new heights, as he had 16 points (5G / 11A) in 16 games leading up to the Olympic break.
Hughes was impressive while representing Team USA during their Gold Medal performance at the Olympics, scoring eight points (1G / 7A) in six games, and is set to return to Minnesota's lineup on Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche. The 26-year-old Hughes has been outstanding since being traded to Minnesota earlier this season, averaging a career-high 28:18 time-on-ice and scoring 34 points (3G / 31A) in 26 games.
