Canucks Vs Wild: Projected Lineups, Starting Goalies and Late Changes
canucks vs wild — The Vancouver Canucks travel to St. Paul to face the Minnesota Wild on April 2, 2026, with Nikita Tolopilo projected to start in goal and Filip Gustavsson drawing the nod for the Wild; the matchup carries roster shuffles and playoff implications. The Canucks made a late call-up, inserting Ty Mueller into the lineup after he was recalled from Abbotsford of the American Hockey League, and the Wild have a returning defenseman after a one-game absence. The game time lineup and goaltending choices shape what could be a decisive night as Minnesota looks to lock in its postseason position.
Canucks Vs Wild: Projected Lineups
Vancouver’s projected forward lines list Drew O’Connor centering Marco Rossi and Brock Boeser, with Liam Ohgren flanking Elias Pettersson and Jake DeBrusk, and Max Sasson slotting with Teddy Blueger and Linus Karlsson. A fourth line is projected as Curtis Douglas between Aatu Raty and Ty Mueller, who was called up from Abbotsford. Scratched for Vancouver are Victor Mancini and Nils Hoglander; the Canucks also list Evander Kane (undisclosed), Filip Chytil (facial fracture), Thatcher Demko (hip surgery) and Derek Forbort (undisclosed) on the injured list.
Minnesota’s top lines feature Kirill Kaprizov with Ryan Hartman and Mats Zuccarello, followed by Marcus Johansson with Joel Eriksson Ek and Matt Boldy. Vladimir Tarasenko, Danila Yurov and Bobby Brink form another trio, and Yakov Trenin is projected with Michael McCarron and Marcus Foligno. The Wild scratched Nick Foligno, Daemon Hunt, Hunter Haight, Robby Fabbri, Nico Sturm and Jeff Petry for the matchup. Spurgeon is back after missing one game with an undisclosed injury.
Immediate Reactions and Lineup Notes
The Canucks did not hold a morning skate; the decision to start Tolopilo follows Kevin Lankinen’s appearance in the previous night’s 8-6 win at Colorado, when Lankinen made 24 saves. Mueller’s insertion is his first NHL game of the season after the recall. Wild coach John Hynes said of a lineup rest day: “He’s healthy, just a night off. ” The coach’s comment addressed the benching of a veteran who had played 11 straight games since a March 6 trade into Minnesota.
Those watching the matchup closely will note this is the first meeting between Quinn Hughes and Vancouver since Hughes was traded to Minnesota. The late roster moves and the return of a key Wild defenseman sharpen the stakes for the evening’s tilt in St. Paul; matchup adjustments will be under close watch once the opening puck drop arrives.
Starting Goalies, Stakes and What’s Next
Filip Gustavsson is the starter for the Wild; the team lists him with a 2. 57 goals-against average and a. 909 save percentage over 46 games in the season. Gustavsson has had a recent two-game stretch with nine goals allowed and is seeking milestones with Minnesota. For Vancouver, Nikita Tolopilo is projected to start after making a prior appearance with a strong line against Minnesota earlier in the season, credited with a 2. 02 goals-against average and a. 933 save percentage in that lone start versus the Wild.
Coaches and line crews will make final decisions close to puck drop, and both benches must balance rest and playoff positioning late in the schedule. Expect in-game adjustments and possible changes to goaltending plans depending on first-period traffic. The Canucks vs Wild showdown will be a key late-season test for both rosters as the teams head into the next segment of their schedules; watchers should monitor the official game-day roster and goalie confirmations for the final word on the night.
Updated April 2, 2026 (ET).
