Injury Ends Minnesota Wild Star’s Streak
The Minnesota Wild have been among the best teams in the NHL all season long. In fact, they’ve been one of three teams with a legitimate chance at the President’s Trophy, along with Central Division rivals Colorado and Dallas.
Unfortunately, the Wild have fallen to the bottom of that top trio. Since getting back from the Olympic break, wins have suddenly become hard to come by. Minnesota was 34-14-10 entering the break and 5-4-2 since.
President of hockey operations Bill Guerin didn’t add significantly at the trade deadline, and now his squad appears to be limping to the finish. With 12 regular season games left, the MN Wild have their eyes on a postseason run… but now they’ll be without superstar Kirill Kaprizov, at least for a little bit.
Kirill Kaprizov out for Minnesota Wild
It has been nothing short of an impressive season for Kirill Kaprizov. Until he was ruled out before the game vs Chicago on Thursday night with a lower-body injury, the 28-year-old had played in all of the Minnesota’s 69 regular season games — a streak that came to an end tonight.
Day-to-day with lower-body, the team says https://t.co/cOmI0ueUtt
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) March 19, 2026
Kaprizov assisted Ryan Hartman’s opening goal against the Blackhawks in their latest meeting. He has 38 goals this season, and 42 assists, to total 80 points. Having played 81 games during the 2021-22 season, he’s just six shy of tying his second-highest mark (75) from 2023-24.
The NHL could not be less descriptive with their injury designations. Kaprizov having a lower-body injury would also be in line with both of his legs being amputated if the Wild chose to classify it as such. Of course this isn’t that serious, and Michael Russo (The Atheltic) doesn’t believe this malady is too serious.
Told Kaprizov got checked by Donato in Chicago and went into the boards funny. Wild just being careful. As I said, he skated in the full skate this morning https://t.co/RzBnYxuY85
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) March 19, 2026
Ultimately, down the stretch, the Minnesota Wild could be practicing some load management with their superstar. They are six points shy of Dallas, and eight of Colorado while both have at least a game in hand. There isn’t a real path for anyone in the Central to catch them either.
With first round exits in the Stanley Cup playoffs mounting, the Wild must come correct when immediately facing either of those two foes. Having the most-rested version of Kaprizov could help to accomplish that.
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