MN Wild Remain Hopeful on Joel Eriksson Ek; Russo Not So Much

The Minnesota Wild will be back on the ice in a matter of hours, looking to keep their second round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche alive to see a Game 6.

To do that, not only will they have to win game 5 on the road in Denver, but they’ll have to do it yet again without their top centerman, Joel Eriksson Ek, who did not travel with the team on their one-game playoff road trip.

Instead, Ekker is staying back in St. Paul where he will continue his rehab back from a lower body injury suffered at the end of Minnesota’s first round series against Dallas.

Minnesota Wild hopeful Joel Eriksson Ek can return… if there’s a Game 6

On a more positive note, however, the 29-year-old did skate on his own Wednesday at TRIA Rink, according to Michael Russo (The Athletic), who went on to tweet that the Wild remain hopeful Eriksson Ek can return for Game 6, if they can find a victory in Game 5.

Eriksson Ek skated today in Minnesota so they’re still hoping if they extend the series

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) May 13, 2026

Given what they are up against Wednesday, winning will be much easier said than done. However, the Wild have proven they can punish the Avalanche if they play hard north/south hockey; less east/west “soft” hockey.

There is no arguing how devastating the Joel Eriksson Ek injury has been for the Wild in this series. With Ek in the lineup, Minnesota crushed the soul of the Stars, in part thanks to the his five points. More importantly, they were a +9 vs Dallas with Eriksson Ek on the ice.

Without him, though, Colorado — who came in with questions surrounding their willingness to match the Wild’s size and toughness — have outphysicalled the MN Wild. Unfortunately, Russo was on KFAN Radio just moments ago, where he reiterated just how significant this injury is.

Russo not as optimistic about Eriksson Ek’s return

Apparently, even if Ek does find a way to play Game 6, the longtime NHL insider isn’t confident he’d then be able to bounce back and be ready again by Game 7.

“He’s hurt. I don’t care how he felt today. Even if he somehow could play Game 6, what’s that mean for the rest of the playoffs even, if they were luckily able to somehow reel off three-straight wins?

He’s dealing with a significant injury that is absolutely inhibiting — whenever we see him walking off the ice, it’s painful to watch. Even if he comes in and somehow saves the season in Game 6, does that even mean he can play Game 7?

This is an injury that he probably shouldn’t be trying to skate on and I think it’s the type of injury that’s never going to get better, while he’s doing that. So they are in a real rough spot with him.”

Michael Russo – KFAN Radio (w/Dan Barreiro)

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Not only do they miss Joel Eriksson Ek’s production, but Matt Boldy has been a shell of himself without Joel Eriksson Ek on the other wing, producing just two points in four games this series, along with a -2 (+/-).

Can the MN Wild change that tonight without him? If not, as John Hynes pointed out after Game 4, then their season will be over.

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