Travis Dermott will draw back into the lineup on Friday against Utah HC, resulting in Merrill being a healthy scratch. The 32-year-old Merrill is averaging 13:37 time-on-ice and ha three points (0G / 3A) in 25 games this season.

Filip Gustavsson remains sidelined with a lower-body injury, giving Fleury his third start in the last four games. Fleury struggled in his previous outing, allowing six goals on 33 shots (.818 SV%) in a 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers. He has a 2.88 GAA and .898 SV% in 10 appearances this season (6-2-1). Minnesota enters Friday's contest as a -123 home favorite against the Utah Hockey Club, winners of three straight.

Shore played the last two games, and 13 of the last 14 for Minnesota after spending the first part of the season with the Iowa Wild (AHL). The 30-year-old Shore is averaging 8:11 time-on-ice and has zero points in 13 games with Minnesota this season.

Boyd has 298 games of NHL experience, scoring 118 points (47G / 71A), but has only played two games this season. That said, 31-year-old has been lighting it up in the AHL, scoring 18 points (3G / 15A) in 17 games with Iowa.

Shore played the last two games, and 13 of the last 14, for Minnesota but has been reassigned to the Iowa Wild (AHL). The 30-year-old Shore is averaging 8:11 time-on-ice and has zero points in 13 games with Minnesota this season.

Trenin has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury and has been placed on Injured Reserve retroactive to December 12th. In his first season with Minnesota, Trenin is averaging 13:37 time-on-ice, recording three points (2G / 1A) and 82 hits in 29 games.

Faber left Wednesday's 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers late in the third period but should be ready to play on Friday against the Utah Hockey Club. The 22-year-old Faber has 17 points (3G / 14A) in 32 games this season and is amongst league leaders in ice-time, averaging 25:10 time-on-ice.

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.