Gaunce has 177 games of NHL experience, scoring 28 career points (13G / 15A), but has primarily been an AHL played the past few seasons. The 30-year-old defenseman has 14 points (8G / 6A) in 21 games with the Iowa Wild (AHL) this season.
Gustavsson was scheduled to start on Sunday but was unexpectedly sidelined due to a minor lower-body injury. The 26-year-old Gustavsson is amid a Vezina-worthy season, posting a 2.24 GAA and .922 SV% in 22 games (14-5-3) and is not expected to be out of the lineup for long. Marc-Andre Fluery will be between the pipes for Minnesota on Wednesday.
With Filip Gustavsson (lower body) still sidelined, Fleury will return to the crease for the second time in the last three games. The 40-year-old Fleury has been solid when called upon this season, posting a 2.51 GAA and .909 SV% in nine appearances (6-1-1). He was excellent in his last outing, saving 21 of 22 shots (.955 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Minnesota enters Wednesday's contest as +126 home underdogs against a Florida Panthers club that has been shut out in two of their last three games (1-2-0).
Gustavsson was scheduled to start on Sunday but was unexpectedly sidelined due to a minor lower-body injury. The 26-year-old Gustavsson is amid a Vezina-worthy season, posting a 2.24 GAA and .922 SV% in 22 games (14-5-3) and is not expected to be out of the lineup for long. Marc-Andre Fluery will likely be between the pipes for Minnesota on Wednesday.
Gaunce is yet to make his Wild debut after signing a two-way contract in the off-season. The 30-year-old forward has registered 13 goals and 15 assists in 177 career NHL games split between the Canucks, Bruins, and Blue Jackets.
Minnesota had a forgetful performance on Thursday, a 7-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, and will turn to Fleury between the pipes on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Fleury entered the crease in relief of Filip Gustavsson in Thursday's loss, allowing two goals on nine shots (.778 SV%). The veteran Fleury has a 2.71 GAA and .905 SV% in eight appearances this season (5-1-1).
Zuccarello has not played since suffering an injury on November 14th, missing 13 games, but could return to the lineup on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Before his injury, the 37-year-old Zuccarello had not missed a beat, playing predominantly alongside Kirill Kaprizov, scoring 14 points (6G/ 8A) in 16 games this season.
Middleton suffered the injury in the first period of Thursday's game and was unable to return. The 28-year-old Middleton is averaging a career-high 20:36 time-on-ice, recording 13 points (5G / 8A), 76 blocks, and 42 hits in 29 games this season.
Middleton suffered the injury in the first period of Thursday's game and was unable to return. We should get an update on his status ahead of Minnesota's game against the Flyers on Saturday.
Gustavsson allowed more than three goals for only the third time this season on Tuesday, allowing four on 25 shots (.840 SV%), but still salvaged a 5-4 victory over the Utah Hockey Club. Despite his minor blip in his most recent outing, Gustavsson has been tremendous this season, a leading candidate for the Vezina trophy, posting an absurd 2.08 GAA and .927 SV% in 21 games (14-4-3). Minnesota enters Thursday's contest as +132 home underdogs against an Edmonton Oilers club they defeated 5-3 on November 21st.
Nyquist was a late scratch on Tuesday, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. The Predators added that Nyquist is considered day-to-day as he battles the illness.
Minnesota's five-game winning streak snapped in their most recent outing, a disappointing 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. Gustavsson will return to the crease on Tuesday, looking to improve his immaculate start to the 2024-25 season, boasting a Vezina-worthy 1.99 GAA and .931 SV% in 20 games (13-4-3). Minnesota enters Tuesday's contest as slight -104 road underdogs against a Utah team that has scored three or more goals in five of their last six (4-1-1).
