Minnesota Wild News

The Oilers lost Connor McDavid early in Monday's 6-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets and will likely switch to Pickard between the pipes for the second time in the last three games. The 32-year-old Pickard has been serviceable in limited action this season but has been notably impressive in his last two outings (2-0-0), saving 49 of 53 shots (.925 SV%). The Oilers will be without Connor McDavid for the next two to three weeks and will face off against a Nashville Predators team with points in each of their last four games (3-0-1).

Maata was acquired yesterday in a trade from the Detroit Red Wings to address their injuries on the blue line, namely John Marino (back) and Sean Durzi (shoulder), who are out of the lineup for the foreseeable future. Maatta, in the final year of a two-year, $3.0M AAV deal, has no points, three SOG, seven blocked shots, and three hits in seven games this season.

Utah's blueline has been shorthanded after John Marino went back surgery and Sean Durzi had shoulder surgery, so they've added an NHL-calibre defenseman to help fill the void. Maatta, who is in the final year of a two-year, $3.0M AAV deal, has no points, three SOG, seven blocked shots and three hits in seven games this season.

After missing the last three games, Brink will return to the Flyers lineup on Tuesday, replacing Nicolas Deslauriers. Brink has four points (1G / 3A) in six games this season, all recorded during a season-opening four-game point streak.

Spurgeon missed the majority of the 2023-24 season and has played all but the first two games of the 2024-25 campaign but will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 34-year-old Spurgeon has one assist in two games this season.

With Jared Spurgeon (lower-body) expected to return to Minnesota's lineup on Tuesday, Hunt has been sent down to the Iowa Wild (AHL). The 22-year-old Hunt suited up for one game with Minnesota this season, playing 8:01 time-on-ice.

On the front end of a back-to-back, the Oilers will turn to Pickard between the pipes. Pickard has only played once in the last six games but was stellar in that outing, saving 25 of 27 shots (.926 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Nashville Predators. The Oilers enter the action on Sunday as -204 road favorites against the Red Wings.

Gustavsson stopped 24 of 25 shots in the Wild's win in Florida on Tuesday. Gustavsson has won won three in a row while giving up just three goals on 77 shots (.961 SV%). This afternoon he'll get the start in Philadelphia, where the Wild are -125 road favourites.

Novak was a fifth-round pick of the Minnesota Wild in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 22-year-old made his North American professional hockey debut last season, splitting time between the Iowa Heartlanders (ECHL) and the Iowa Wild (AHL).

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.

Maatta will re-enter the lineup after sitting out Tuesday's game on Long Island. Maatta is yet to register a point through five games this season.

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.

Maatta will sit out Tuesday night's contest against the Islanders as Justin Holl draws back in. Maatta is yet to register a point through five 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.