Eriksson Ek has not played since February 22nd but recently returned to practice in a non-contact jersey and is expected to return to the lineup before the end of the season. The 28-year-old Eriksson Ek scored 24 points (9G / 15A) in 42 games this season, a significant decline from his 60+ point campaigns over his previous two seasons.
Kaprizov has not played since late January but recently returned to practice in a non-contact jersey and is expected to return to the lineup before the end of the regular season. Before his injury, the 27-year-old Kaprizov had been outstanding offensively, scoring 52 points (23G / 29A) in 37 games.
The Oilers are riding a two-game winning streak and will roll with Pickard between the pipes for a fourth consecutive game when they face the San Jose Sharks on Thursday. Pickard was solid in his most recent game, saving 20 of 22 shots (.909 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. The 32-year-old Pickard has a 2.69 GAA and .899 SV% in 31 appearances this season (19-8-1).
Minnesota has lost four of their last five (1-3-1) and will turn to Gustavsson between the pipes on Wednesday as they hang on to the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. Despite a 3-2 shootout loss to the New Jersey Devils, Gustavsson played well in his most recent outing, saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%). The 26-year-old netminder had a dazzling 1.98 GAA and .930 SV% through 13 games in March (7-4-2). Minnesota enters Wednesday's contest as +143 road underdogs against a Rangers team coming off a 6-1 win over the San Jose Sharks.
Sturm exited Tuesday's game against the Montreal Canadiens early in the first period after only 0:34 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. The 29-year-old Sturm is averaging 10:06 time-on-ice and has 14 points (7G / 7A) in 58 games this season. An update on his status will likely be provided before the Panthers return to the ice on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Maatta will miss a second consecutive game on Tuesday against the Calgary Flames. The 30-year-old defenseman is averaging 19:42 time-on-ice and has 15 points (2G / 13A) in 70 games this season.
After allowing five goals on 29 shots (.828 SV%) in a 6-1 loss to the Seattle Kraken, Pickard responded in his next outing, saving 26 of 28 (.929 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the Calgary Flames. He will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 32-year-old Pickard has a 2.71 GAA and .899 SV% in 30 appearances this season (18-8-1). The Oilers enter Tuesday's contest as +139 road underdogs against a Golden Knights squad riding a six-game winning streak.
Maatta did not play in Utah's previous game but could return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Calgary Flames. The 30-year-old defenseman is averaging 19:42 time-on-ice and has 15 points (2G / 13A) in 70 games this season.
After carrying Minnesota to a three-game winning streak with an elite .976 SV%, Gustavsson has lost two of his last three (1-2-0) while posting a more pedestrian .901 SV%. Still, the 26-year-old Gustavsson will return to the crease on Monday against the New Jersey Devils, looking to improve his 2.51 GAA and .916 SV% through 51 games this season (29-17-4). Minnesota enters the action on Monday as +131 road underdogs against a Devils team that defeated them 5-2 on Saturday.
After allowing five goals on 29 shots (.828 SV%) in a 6-1 loss to the Seattle Kraken, Pickard responded in his next outing, saving 26 of 28 (.929 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the Calgary Flames. He will likely return to the crease on Tuesday against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 32-year-old Pickard has a 2.71 GAA and .899 SV% in 30 appearances this season (18-8-1). The Oilers enter Tuesday's contest as +139 road underdogs against a Golden Knights squad riding a six-game winning streak.
On the tail-end of a back-to-back, Pickard will be between the pipes on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. The 32-year-old Pickard was excellent in his most recent start, saving 29 of 30 shots (.967 SV%) in a 7-1 win over the Utah Hockey Club. He has a 2.63 GAA and .901 SV% in 27 appearances this season (17-7-1).
Foligno has not played since March 15th due to an upper-body injury but will draw back into Minnesota's lineup on Thursday against the Washington Capitals. The 33-year-old Foligno has zero points, a -7 plus/minus, and 37 hits in his last 10 games.
Minnesota's last contest with Gustavsson between the pipes was a 3-0 loss to the Dallas Stars, but not due to a poor effort from Gustavsson, who has been tremendous between the pipes. The 26-year-old Gustavsson has allowed only four total goals in his last four games (3-1-0), posting a superb .964 SV%. He has a 2.47 GAA and .918 SV% in 49 games this season (28-16-4). Still, Minnesota enters Thursday's contest as +139 home underdogs against a Washington Capitals squad that fell 3-2 to the Winnipeg Jets in their previous outing.
Foligno has not played since March 15th due to an upper-body injury but will likely draw back into Minnesota's lineup on Thursday against the Washington Capitals. The 33-year-old Foligno has zero points, a -7 plus/minus, and 37 hits in his last 10 games.
