The Calgary Flames travel to St. Paul for a Sunday night matchup against the Minnesota Wild on November 9, 2025, with both teams looking to find consistency in their early-season campaigns. The Flames enter with a concerning 4-10-2 record, desperately needing to turn their fortunes around, while the Wild sit at 6-7-3 and return home to begin a crucial five-game homestand at Xcel Energy Center. With puck drop scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET, this contest represents an opportunity for Calgary to build momentum on the road and for Minnesota to capitalize on home ice.
Both teams are dealing with injury concerns that have shaped their lineup decisions heading into this game. The Wild will turn to Jesper Wallstedt for his second consecutive start in net, while the Flames are managing multiple absences on their roster. The projected lineups reflect coaching adjustments aimed at maximizing offensive production while maintaining defensive stability in what should be an intriguing Western Conference clash.
Calgary Flames vs Minnesota Wild projected lineup November 9 2025: forward combinations
The Flames’ forward lines feature some significant changes as they attempt to generate more offensive consistency. Jonathan Huberdeau anchors the top line alongside newly acquired center Morgan Frost and young talent Matt Coronato. This combination aims to leverage Huberdeau’s playmaking ability with Frost’s vision and Coronato’s scoring touch, giving Calgary a potentially dynamic first unit.
The second line pairs Yegor Sharangovich with Nazem Kadri and Joel Farabee, creating a balanced scoring threat. Kadri remains the veteran presence centering this line, while Sharangovich’s speed and Farabee’s versatility provide multiple dimensions for opposing defenses to account for. This line will be crucial in providing secondary scoring for a Flames team that has struggled to find the net consistently.
Calgary’s third line features Samuel Honzek, Mikael Backlund, and Blake Coleman, offering a reliable two-way presence. Backlund continues to be one of the most underrated centers in the league, and his chemistry with Coleman has been evident throughout their time together. Honzek’s development adds another layer to this line’s effectiveness, particularly in defensive zone coverage.
The fourth line consists of Ryan Lomberg, Connor Zary, and Adam Klapka, providing energy and physicality. This unit will be tasked with wearing down the Wild’s defense through forechecking pressure and establishing a physical tone. Zary’s emergence as a valuable contributor adds skill to what is traditionally an energy-focused line, making this group more versatile than standard fourth lines.
For Minnesota, the top line remains intact with Kirill Kaprizov, Marco Rossi, and Mats Zuccarello forming one of the league’s most productive trios. Kaprizov continues to establish himself as an elite talent, and his chemistry with Zuccarello has been a cornerstone of the Wild’s offense. Rossi’s development between these two veterans has exceeded expectations, providing the Wild with a legitimate top-line center.
The Wild’s second line features Matt Boldy with Joel Eriksson Ek and Marcus Johansson, combining size, defensive responsibility, and offensive skill. Boldy has emerged as a legitimate scoring threat who can take over games, while Eriksson Ek provides Selke-caliber defensive play. Johansson’s addition brings veteran savvy and an underrated offensive game that complements the other two.
Minnesota’s third line of Vladimir Tarasenko, Ryan Hartman, and Vinnie Hinostroza offers scoring depth that few teams can match. Tarasenko remains a dangerous shooter despite being in the later stages of his career, while Hartman provides grit and offensive instincts. Hinostroza’s speed and puck skills add another dimension to this balanced unit.
The fourth line consists of Marcus Foligno, Danila Yurov, and Yakov Trenin, mixing veteran leadership with young talent. Foligno remains one of the league’s premier power forwards, capable of changing games with physicality while chipping in offensively. Yurov’s inclusion represents the Wild’s commitment to developing their prospects at the NHL level, and his skill set suggests he won’t remain on the fourth line for long.
Calgary Flames vs Minnesota Wild projected lineup November 9 2025: defensive pairings breakdown
Calgary’s defensive corps features Joel Hanley paired with MacKenzie Weegar on the top pairing. Weegar has been tasked with carrying significant minutes since arriving in Calgary, and his partnership with Hanley aims to provide stability against Minnesota’s potent offensive attack. Weegar’s ability to transition pucks and join the rush will be critical for a Flames team seeking to generate offense from the back end.
The second pairing consists of Yan Kuznetsov alongside Rasmus Andersson, combining youth with experience. Andersson remains the Flames’ most dynamic offensive defenseman, capable of quarterbacking the power play and creating chances from the blue line. Kuznetsov’s development continues as he adjusts to increased responsibilities at the NHL level, making this pairing an intriguing mix of established production and potential.
Calgary’s third pairing features Kevin Bahl and Brayden Pachal, providing size and defensive reliability. This duo will likely face easier matchups but must remain responsible in their own zone. The Flames have Jake Bean and Daniil Miromanov as healthy scratches, giving them defensive depth should adjustments be necessary. The absence of rookie Zayne Parekh, who is week-to-week with an upper-body injury, removes a promising young defenseman from the mix.
Minnesota’s top pairing of Jonas Brodin and Brock Faber represents one of the league’s most reliable defensive duos. Faber, despite dealing with a maintenance issue that kept him out of morning skate, will play and continues to establish himself as a cornerstone piece of the Wild’s blue line. Similar to previous matchups this season, the Flames will need to find ways to create traffic in front of Minnesota’s elite defensive structure. Brodin’s defensive acumen combined with Faber’s all-around excellence creates matchup problems for opposing forwards.
The second pairing features Jake Middleton with captain Jared Spurgeon, mixing physicality with offensive instincts. Middleton’s arrival has been a revelation for Minnesota, providing a physical edge that complements Spurgeon’s offensive creativity and leadership. This pairing excels at shutting down second lines while still contributing offensively when opportunities arise.
Minnesota’s third pairing showcases the organization’s commitment to youth development, with Zeev Buium partnering with Daemon Hunt. Buium, a highly regarded prospect, continues gaining valuable NHL experience, while Hunt provides a steady presence. David Jiricek sits as a healthy scratch, demonstrating the depth Minnesota has built on the blue line. The Wild are without Zach Bogosian due to a lower-body injury, but their defensive depth has proven capable of absorbing such absences.
Calgary Flames vs Minnesota Wild projected lineup November 9 2025: goaltending matchup analysis
The Flames’ goaltending situation features Devin Cooley listed as the projected starter with Dustin Wolf as the backup. Calgary’s goaltending has been a bright spot relative to their overall struggles, and whoever gets the nod will need to be sharp against Minnesota’s diverse offensive weapons. The Flames will rely heavily on their netminder to keep them competitive, particularly given their offensive struggles throughout the early portion of the season.
Minnesota turns to Jesper Wallstedt for his second consecutive start, continuing the young Swedish goaltender’s development at the NHL level. Wallstedt represents the future of the Wild’s crease, and these opportunities allow him to gain crucial experience while Filip Gustavsson remains available as the backup. The Wild’s goaltending depth has been a strength, with both netminders capable of delivering quality starts.
This goaltending matchup may ultimately decide the contest, as both teams have shown vulnerability in maintaining leads and generating consistent offense. Wallstedt’s composure and technical proficiency will be tested against a Flames team desperate for points, while Calgary’s netminder must find ways to frustrate Minnesota’s skilled forwards.
Calgary Flames vs Minnesota Wild projected lineup November 9 2025: injury report and roster notes
The Flames are managing several significant absences heading into this matchup. Martin Pospisil is out with an undisclosed injury, removing a physical presence from Calgary’s forward group. More notably, Zayne Parekh is week-to-week with an upper-body injury, hampering the rookie defenseman’s development at the NHL level. Daniil Miromanov was recalled from Calgary’s AHL affiliate on Saturday, providing defensive depth.
Justin Kirkland, Jake Bean, and Daniil Miromanov are healthy scratches for the Flames, giving head coach the flexibility to make lineup adjustments if necessary. These decisions reflect both performance considerations and tactical matchups specific to facing Minnesota’s roster construction.
The Wild are dealing with their own injury concerns, most notably the absence of Nico Sturm due to a back injury, though he has resumed skating on his own. Zach Bogosian remains out with a lower-body injury, impacting Minnesota’s defensive depth. David Jiricek and Ben Jones are healthy scratches, with the former’s absence particularly noteworthy given his pedigree as a former high draft pick.
Minnesota reassigned forward Tyler Pitlick to Iowa of the AHL on Saturday, streamlining their roster ahead of this homestand. These moves reflect the Wild’s confidence in their current lineup configuration while maintaining organizational depth. Much like their recent roster management, both teams are balancing immediate NHL needs with long-term player development considerations.
The injury situations for both teams have created opportunities for younger players to prove themselves at the NHL level. Minnesota’s integration of prospects like Yurov and Buium into meaningful roles demonstrates their belief in their development system, while Calgary’s struggles have accelerated the timelines for several younger contributors.
Calgary Flames vs Minnesota Wild projected lineup November 9 2025: special teams and tactical considerations
Special teams performance will likely play a crucial role in determining this game’s outcome. Minnesota’s power play, anchored by Kaprizov’s elite playmaking and shooting, represents a significant advantage. The Wild’s ability to convert on the man advantage could prove decisive against a Flames penalty kill that has shown vulnerability this season.
Calgary’s power play will need to find success against Minnesota’s penalty kill to keep pace offensively. With Huberdeau, Kadri, and Andersson providing the primary offensive threats, the Flames possess the talent to capitalize on opportunities if they can generate clean zone entries and establish sustained pressure. The battle of special teams may ultimately determine which team emerges victorious.
Faceoff efficiency will be another key battleground, with Minnesota’s center depth potentially giving them an advantage in puck possession. Eriksson Ek and Rossi have both been excellent in the dot this season, while Calgary’s centers will need to hold their own to give their team a chance. Winning the possession battle could be particularly crucial for the Flames given their offensive struggles.
Coaching decisions regarding line matching will add another layer of intrigue. Minnesota playing at home gives them last change, allowing them to deploy their checking line against Calgary’s top offensive threats. How Calgary responds to these matchups, particularly on the road, could determine their ability to generate scoring chances.
This matchup between the struggling Flames and the streaky Wild represents a critical juncture for both teams. Calgary desperately needs to string together victories to salvage their season, while Minnesota looks to build momentum on home ice. The projected lineups reflect both teams’ attempts to maximize their available personnel while managing injuries and development considerations. With Minnesota’s offensive depth facing Calgary’s inconsistent defensive structure, this game could provide the entertainment value typical of Western Conference matchups while carrying significant implications for both teams’ playoff aspirations. According to NHL.com’s official preview, both teams enter this contest seeking to establish the kind of consistency that has eluded them through the early portions of the season. The Wild’s home-ice advantage and superior depth should give them the edge, but hockey’s unpredictability means the Flames have every opportunity to steal two points if their goaltending and special teams perform to their capabilities. This Sunday night contest promises competitive hockey between two teams searching for their identity in what remains a wide-open Western Conference playoff race.
Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.