MN Wild Practice Reveals Controversial Line Combos and New Injury Updates

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Marco Rossi, Joel Eriksson Ek - Minnesota Wild
Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Wild have two off days in between games four and five of their first round playoff series vs the Las Vegas Golden Knights, as the 7-game set swings back to Sin City tied 2-2. So far, this has been a series mostly dominated by Wild starpower.

We haven’t heard a peep from Jack Eichel (0 goals, 1 assist, 11 shots) yet. Meanwhile, Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy have combined for 8 goals and 6 assists. The only players on roster who have produced at nearly the same rate as those two bona fide Wild stars has been Marco Rossi.

Minnesota Wild refuse to believe in Marco Rossi

Marco Rossi - Minnesota Wild
Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

The 23-year-old former top 10 pick has a MUCH different role than Kaprizov and Boldy, however. Rossi’s two goals are fourth-most for Minnesota this postseason, behind only Kaprizov (4), Boldy (4) and Foligno (3). His three points are tied for fourth most and he has a +2 +/-.

But while Kaprizov and Boldy are averaging over 22 and 24 minutes of TOI through the first four games, respectively, Marco Rossi is buried on the Minnesota Wild’s fourth line, averaging less than half of those guys’ ice time (10:53 TOI).

After Saturday’s OT loss at home, a lot of fans were hoping to see Rossi’s role expanded for game five. Unfortunately, when practice started on Monday morning, there was Marco Rossi, centering the 4th line between Yakov Trenin and Justin Brazeau.

It’s not like Marco Rossi’s point production during these playoffs is a surprise. He and Matt Boldy single-handedly kept the Minnesota Wild afloat this season, as the rest of the roster crumbled from injury, around them. Rossi finished the 2024-25 regular season 3rd on the team in goals (24) and 2nd in both assists (36) and points (60).

Related: What We Learned About the Minnesota Wild in Dominant Game Three Win Over Vegas

Yet, for whatever reason, John Hynes and Bill Guerin refuse to give Marco Rossi his chance at stardom, or anywhere near the type of respect they show their top (or even) mid-line skaters. And as of now, that doesn’t look like it will change anytime soon.

Minnesota Wild injury updates prior to game 5

Marco Rossi’s status on the fourth line wasn’t the only notable takeaway from Monday’s lines at practice. Joel Eriksson Ek didn’t skate, after he blocked a shot late in game four.

Fortunately, Hynes informed gathered media members after practice Monday that Ekker’s absence was nothing more than a rest (or maintenance) day. The Minnesota Wild expect their top-line centerman, and the heart/soul of their team, to take his usual place in the middle of the first line on Tuesday night, in Vegas.

More good news: Marcus Johansson skated on Monday and could return to the MN Wild lineup in game five, as well. Johansson served as the left wing on Minnesota’s second line this morning at practice. Johansson missed game four due to a lower body injury he suffered in the third period of game three.

Zeev Buium on the shelf in Vegas?

Marco Rossi might not be the only Minnesota Wild youngster who could continue to see a reduced role, as the playoffs role forward. After being benched for the entire overtime in game four, the No. 2 overall prospect in all of hockey, Zeev Buium, was not skating on any of the Wild’s three defensive pairings Monday morning.

After playing in all four of Minnesota’s 2025 playoff games so far, it appears Buium is likely to be replaced by Jon Merrill in game five. Merrill has yet to be active during this postseason. Zeev Buium is a -1 so far in the 2025 NHL Playoffs, with one assist and an average of 12:36 TOI.

Liam Ohgren travelling with MN Wild

Finally, let’s end on a positive note. Also on Monday, the Minnesota Wild called up top prospect Liam Ohgren from their “Black Aces” playoff practice squad, and will travel with the team to Vegas for game 5. For now, he isn’t expected to be active, but he is just one injury away from finding the postseason ice in this series.

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