Minnesota Wild Will Play Even Shorter-Handed in Colorado

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Joel Eriksson Ek - Minnesota Wild
Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Wild will play Game 1 of their second round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday night, as they look to steal a road game upon arrival in Denver, just like they did in Game 1 of their first round series in Dallas.

Unfortunately, they will have to do so without both Jonas Brodin and Joel Eriksson Ek. The former was ruled out for the road trip earlier this week, with a lower leg injury he suffered against the Stars.

At the time, the Wild did not know whether or not Eriksson Ek would travel with the team to Denver, after he suffered a lower-body injury of his own at the end of Game 6 against the Stars.

Joel Eriksson Ek ruled out for Minnesota Wild @ Colorado Avalanche

But after further evaluation and more time to think about it, Minnesota decided to keep Ekker back in St. Paul, along with Brodin, head coach John Hynes revealed to Michael Russo (The Athletic) and other NHL reporters this afternoon.

The MN Wild are going with Danila Yurov, in replacement of Ek, and soon-to-be 24-year-old Daemon Hunt will make his playoff debut on the blue line, in place of Jonas Brodin.

Eriksson Ek did not accompany the team to Colorado and won’t play Games 1 and 2 because of a lower-body injury. Hynes called him “hopeful” for Game 3.

Michael Russo – The Athletic

What Eriksson Ek injury means for Wild vs Avs

This is a massive loss for the Minnesota Wild, no matter which way you frame it. Not only is Joel Eriksson Ek the best center on roster, but he is a locker room leader both on and off the ice, and guy who makes life exponentially more difficult for opposing teams.

In the regular season, Joel Eriksson Ek scored 51 points (third-most in his career) in just 70 games played. Through six games this postseason, the 29-year-old has accumulated 3 goals and 5 points, in 23:44 average time on ice.

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The eight-year NFL veteran has also delivered 15 hits, while winning 56.4% of his 149 faceoffs and being on the ice for 11 of Minnesota’s 22 playoff goals against the Dallas Stars.

Thankfully, this is the deepest MN Wild team we have ever seen in St. Paul, which is the only reason why we can have hope they’ll be able to overcome, not just the Jonas Brodin injury, but Eriksson Ek too.

However, they need to stay healthier while visiting the Mile High City, because a team can only take so many hits in the health department, before the ship eventually sinks.

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