Minnesota has rotated between Gustavsson and Marc-Andre Fleury between the pipes lately but will turn to Gustavsson on Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres. Gustavsson has won two straight contests and saved 27 of 30 shots (.900 SV%) in a 5-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday. Minnesota will look to extend their winning streak to five games on Saturday.
Hinostroza returns to Pittsburgh yet again after appearing in 22 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) and picking up eight goals and 17 points. The 29-year-old returns to the Penguins' as a replacement for the injured Jake Guentzel (upper body) and will hope to add to the three points (1G/2A) that he had in 14 games played with the Penguins' previously.
After playing five straight for the Rangers, Pitlick was a healthy scratch on Monday before being placed on waivers on Tuesday. Adam Edstrom replaced Pitlick in the lineup on Monday. In 34 games this season, Pitlick has four points (1G / 3A) while averaging 10:12 time-on-ice.
After playing five straight for the Rangers, Pitlick was a healthy scratch on Monday before being placed on waivers on Tuesday. Adam Edstrom replaced Pitlick in the lineup on Monday. In 34 games this season, Pitlick has four points (1G / 3A) while averaging 10:12 time-on-ice.
Gustavsson had the night off in Minnesota's last game, his first in eight games, but will return to the crease on Monday Night. Gustavsson has allowed three or fewer goals in six straight games (4-2-0) and played exceptionally well in his last contest, saving 20 of 21 shots (.952 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Minnesota is a +128 road underdog against a Vegas Golden Knights squad that is 4-1-0 in their last five games.
Foligno only played 7:23 TOI before leaving last Friday's game with a lower-body injury. Brandon Duhaime is expected to move up to the third line to replace Foligno on Monday and Connor Dewar (lower-body) is expected to return to the lineup to replace him.
Pitlick played the last five games for the Rangers but will be a healthy scratch on Monday, allowing Adam Edstrom to draw back into the lineup. In 34 games this season, Pitlick has four points (1G / 3A) while averaging 10:12 time-on-ice.
Foligno only played 7:23 TOI before leaving last Friday's game with a lower-body injury. Brandon Duhaime is expected to move up to the third line to replace Foligno on Monday and Connor Dewar (lower-body) is expected to return the lineup to replace him.
Brodin did not play on Wednesday due to an illness but will re-enter the lineup on Friday, replacing Alex Goligoski. In 32 games this season, Brodin has 13 points (1G / 12A), 61 shots, and 81 blocks.
Matthew Phillips will replace Aube-Kubel in the Capitals' lineup on Thursday. Aube-Kubel played only 8:09 time-on-ice Tuesday while recording a -1 plus/minus and five hits.
Brodin returned from a five-week absence due to an upper-body injury last month and has played seven consecutive games since, tallying four points (0G / 4A), 13 shots, and three hits. He has predominantly played on a defensive pair with Zach Bogosian but will have to wait until at least Friday's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins before returning to the lineup.
Gustavsson will start the fifth straight game on Wednesday in Minnesota's return to the ice from the All-Star break. Gustavsson has dropped each of his last two starts, despite limiting the opposition to a respectable three goals per game in both contests. That said, the 25-year-old netminder has been limited to only three wins in his last eight games (3-5-0), posting an ugly .874 SV%. Minnesota will attempt to get back into the win column as sizeable -203 road favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks team that has lost four straight (0-4-0), being outscored 12-2.
Brodin returned from a five-week absence due to an upper-body injury last month and has played seven consecutive games since, tallying four points (0G / 4A), 13 shots, and three hits. He has predominantly played on a defensive pair with Zach Bogosian and will likely return to that spot if he can play on Wednesday.
Jiriceck has spent most of the season with the Blue Jackets, appearing in 36 games and tallying nine points (1G / 8A). The No.6 pick from 2022 will return to the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL, where he has three assists in three games.
Gustavsson will start his fifth straight game on Thursday and look to extend his winning streak to four. The 25-year-old Gustavsson has allowed three or fewer goals in three straight (3-0-0), posting a serviceable .919 SV%. Minnesota, -112 home favourites, face off against division rivals, the Nashville Predators, who have lost two straight, being outscored 7-3.
With Carter Hart being granted an indefinite leave of absence, Cal Petersen has been recalled from Lehigh Valley (AHL) on Tuesday. The 29-year-old veteran netminder returns to the NHL for a second time this season after posting 1-1-0 record, 3.50 GAA and .896 SV% the last time Hart was out.
Gustavsson will search for his third straight win when he tends the twice against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday. Gustavsson was tremendous in his last outing, saving 40 of 42 shots (.952 SV%) in a 5-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. Minnesota is a -165 home favourite against a Washington club that has scored two or fewer goals in three of their last four games (2-2-0).
