Minnesota Wild News

Spacek made his NHL debut with Minnesota before the Olympic Break, playing two games, but will return to the AHL. The 23-year-old defenseman has 20 points (4G / 16A) in 37 games with Iowa (AHL) this season.

Jakob Markstrom outdueled Gustavsson in the latter half of Team Sweden's Olympic run, allowing Gustavsson to be well-rested when he returns to the crease on Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche. The 27-year-old Gustavsson had helped his team record at least a point in seven straight games (6-0-1) heading into the Olympic break despite posting a pedestrian 3.19 GAA and .888 SV%.

Boldy scored a crucial goal for Team USA in Sunday's 2-1 overtime win over Team Canada to help capture the Gold Medal. The 24-year-old Boldy will return to action for Minnesota on Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche, looking to improve on an already impressive season, with 62 points (32G / 30A) through 54 games.

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.

After an uninspiring win over Italy and a loss to Finland, Sweden is making some changes to their lineup on Saturday. Johansson will draw into the lineup to replace Elias Lindholm, and will bump Jesper Bratt down to the 13th forward. Johansson, who has 37 points (13G / 24A) in 53 games with the Minnesota Wild this season, had eight points (4G / 4A) at the 2025 World Championships.

Hlavaj was the star of Day 1 of the tournament, standing on his head, stopping 39 of 40 shots to steal a 4-1 win over Finland. He was given yesterday off, but he'll return to the crease Saturday vs. Sweden. He'll have his hands full again, as Sweden rank second in the tournament in xG/gm (5.52) so far.

Gustavsson had a really rough first period but ultimately settled in to stop 20 of the 22 shots that he faced in Sweden's win over Italy on Wednesday. It wasn't pretty, but it was enough to beat the overmatched hosts, however Sweden will need him to be sharper against Finland on Friday. Gustavsson and the Swedes are -192 favourites vs. their bitter rivals.

Gustavsson has enjoyed another strong season in Minnesota, where he's gone 20-9-6 with a 2.64 GAA, .907 SV%, and three shutouts. Internationally, he hasn't played in the World Championships since 2024, where he was 6-1-0, and he struggled at the 4Nations last spring (0-2-0, 4.18 GAA, .813 SV%). He's not expected to be tested much on Wednesday, as Sweden are -50000 favourites and Italy has implied total of 1.44.

Gustavsson has enjoyed another strong season in Minnesota, where he's gone 20-9-6 with a 2.64 GAA, .907 SV%, and three shutouts. Internationally, he hasn't played in the World Championships since 2024, where he was 6-1-0, and he struggled at the 4Nations last spring (0-2-0, 4.18 GAA, .813 SV%). He's not expected to be tested much on Wednesday, as Sweden are -50000 favourites and Italy has implied total of 0.16.

Hlavaj has spent most of the 2025–26 season with Iowa (AHL), where he’s gone 5-9-4 with a 3.33 GAA and .884 SV% in 18 games. He started all three of Slovakia’s Olympic qualifying games, posting a 3-0-0 record with a 1.67 GAA and .929 SV%, and was also solid at last year’s World Championships (2-3-0, 1.99 GAA, .912 SV%). He’ll have his work cut out for him on Wednesday, though, as Slovakia enter the matchup as +320 underdogs.

Fabbri will fill the lineup spot previously occupied by Nick Bjugstad, who was traded to the Devils on Wednesday afternoon. Fabbri has one goal and three assists in 14 games this season.

Gustavsson allowed three goals on 17 shots (.850 SV%) in Monday's 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens and has not needed to be spectacular to garner results in recent weeks. The 27-year-old Swedish goalie has helped his team collect a point in six straight games (5-0-1) despite boasting a less-than-stellar 2.94 GAA and .895 SV%. Minnesota enters the action on Wednesday as a -118 road favourite against a Nashville Predators team that has scored 10 goals in its last two games (2-0-0).

Foligno has not played the past two games for the Blackhawks, but will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 38-year-old Foligno is averaging 12:55 time-on-ice and has 10 points (2G / 8A) in 32 games this season.

Foligno has not played the past two games for the Blackhawks, but should return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 38-year-old Foligno is averaging 12:55 time-on-ice and has 10 points (2G / 8A) in 32 games this season.

Pitlick was a late addition to the Wild lineup on Monday, slotting in for Marcus Foligno (illness). He will skate with Vinnie Hinostroza and Nico Sturm on Minnesota's fourth line.