Wild goalie Alex Stalock will be back between the pipes as the team returns home to host the Kings Saturday at Xcel Energy Center.
Starter Devan Dubnyk remains out with an upper-body injury suffered Tuesday when he fell on his back after a collision in the crease. Kaapo Kahkonen will back up Stalock.
"He's doing fine, as fine as he could be," coach Bruce Boudreau said of Dubnyk. "He's not ready to play yet, but he's practicing and he'll be ready to play next week."
Although Dubnyk is still recovering, the Wild is starting to get a bit healthier.
Center Joel Eriksson Ek will return to the lineup Saturday after missing three games with a lower-body injury. To active Eriksson Ek from injured reserve, the Wild opened up a roster spot by sending center Gabriel Dumont to the American Hockey League.
Winger Ryan Hartman will also play after taking a maintenance day Friday, while winger Jordan Greenway (upper-body injury) is still out. Boudreau said Greenway will be ready to play next week.
Although the team is coming off a 4-0 loss to the Predators Thursday in Nashville, its last two home appearances have been wins.
Not falling behind to the Kings would help the Wild rediscover that rhythm.
