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Minnesota Wild News
Minnesota has signed Riley Mercer to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Mercer is an undrafted goalie out that has spent the previous five seasons playing for the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the QMJHL. The 21-year-old had an excellent 2024-25 season, posting a 2.53 GAA and .925 SV% in 46 games (27-15-4) with Drummondville.

Riley Mercer
Gustavsson will start Game 3 vs. Vegas on Thursday.

Minnesota enters Game 3 with their first-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights tied 1-1, courtesy of an excellent performance from Gustavsson in Game 2, saving 30 of 32 shots (.938 SV%) in the 5-2 victory. The 26-year-old Gustavsson will return to the crease in Game 3, looking to build on his 2.38 GAA and .919 SV% through seven career playoff games (3-4-0). Minnesota enters Game 3 on Thursday as +140 home underdogs against Vegas.

Filip Gustavsson
Gustavsson will start Game 2 in Vegas.

Down 0-1 in their first-round matchup against the Golden Knights, the Wild will roll with Gustavsson between the pipes for Game 2, looking to even the series. The 26-year-old Gustavsson was beaten three times in Game 1, allowing three goals on 26 shots (.885 SV%) in a 4-2 loss. The Swedish netminder had a solid 2024-25 campaign, posting a 2.56 GAA and .914 SV% in 58 appearances (31-19-6) and has been serviceable in limited playoff action, posting a 2.45 GAA and .915 SV% in six career outings (2-4-0). Still, Minnesota enters Game 2 as a sizeable +192 road underdogs against Vegas.

Filip Gustavsson
Gustavsson is expected to start Game 2 in Vegas on Tuesday.

Down 0-1 in their first-round matchup against the Golden Knights, the Wild will likely roll with Gustavsson between the pipes for Game 2, looking to even the series. The 26-year-old Gustavsson was beaten three times in Game 1, allowing three goals on 26 shots (.885 SV%) in a 4-2 loss. The Swedish netminder had a solid 2024-25 campaign, posting a 2.56 GAA and .914 SV% in 58 appearances (31-19-6) and has been serviceable in limited playoff action, posting a 2.45 GAA and .915 SV% in six career outings (2-4-0). Still, Minnesota enters Game 2 as a sizeable +192 road underdogs against Vegas.

Filip Gustavsson
The Panthers have assigned Matt Kiersted to Charlotte (AHL).

The Florida Panthers have completed the 2024-25 season and, no longer in need of reserves, have assigned Jesse Puljujarvi, Rasmus Asplund, and Matt Kiersted to the Charlotte Checkers (AHL). Kiersted has 27 points (1G / 27A) in 63 games with Charlotte this season.

Matt Kiersted
Gustavsson will start vs. Anaheim on Tuesday.

Minnesota can clinch a playoff spot by recording a single point against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday. Gustavsson will be tending the twine, looking to build on his 2.57 GAA and .914 SV% through 57 games this season (31-19-6). After a stellar March performance, the 26-year-old Gustavsson has struggled in April, posting a 3.33 GAA and .881 SV% in five games (2-2-1). Still, Minnesota enters Tuesday's contest as sizeable -251 home favorites against an Anaheim team outscored 10-3 during a two-game losing skid (0-2-0).

Filip Gustavsson
Middleton (upper-body) will be a game-time decision in Calgary on Friday.

Middleton missed the last two games with an upper-body injury, but could draw back into the lineup on Friday in Calgary. Middleton has been great in banger leagues this season, posting 20 points (8G / 12A) to go along with 1.4 SOG, 1.5 hits and 2.4 BS per game.

Jacob Middleton
Gustavsson will start in Calgary on Friday.

Minnesota will turn to Gustavsson in the crease on Friday as they can virtually cement a berth in the playoffs with a win over the Calgary Flames. Gustavsson was solid in his most recent outing, saving 23 of 25 shots (.920 SV%) in a 3-2 victory over the Dallas Stars. The 26-year-old netminder has a solid 2.54 GAA and .915 SV% in 55 appearances this season (30-18-6). Minnesota enters Friday's contest as -116 road favorites against a Calgary team with points in four straight (2-0-2).

Filip Gustavsson