Minnesota Wild Cautiously Optimistic Kirill Kaprizov and Jared Spurgeon are Back

Kirill Kaprizov, Jared Spurgeon - Minnesota Wild
Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Wild are on a two day break, as they prepare for their next game on Thursday versus the Utah Hockey Club. Recently, a roster that has been ravaged by injuries all season, has started to get healthier. That process started a couple of games ago, when Brock Faber returned to the lineup in Nashville.

Minnesota Wild getting Kirill Kaprizov and Jared Spurgeon back vs. Utah?

Now, fans await the return of superstar forward Kirill Kaprizov, who has been out of the lineup since December 23. Captain defenseman Jared Spurgeon has been out since he was injured on New Year’s Eve. Fortunately, Wild head coach John Hynes is “cautiously optimistic” that both will return to the ice Thursday.

“[Kaprizov and Spurgeon] were good [at practice on Wednesday]. They do feel good so I think we are going to wait until after we discuss with the trainers, but [we are] cautiously optimistic that they’ll be back for tomorrow.”

-Minnesota Wild head coach John Hynes after Wednesday’s practice

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A return for Kaprizov and Spurgeon would be a huge boost for a Minnesota Wild team that has been struggling to stay afloat, losing three of their last four games, and four of their last six.

What are Wild getting with return of Kaprizov, Spurgeon?

As of Wednesday afternoon, the Wild are clinging to second place in the Central by just one point over the Dallas Stars. They’re three points ahead of the Colorado Avalanche. Prior to Kaprizov’s month-long absence, the 27-year-old Russian phenom had the best odds in the NHL to win the Hart Trophy.

In 23 games played this season, Kaprizov has potted 23 goals and helped on 27 more. He’s proved to everyone that he is one of the top stars in the NHL. Jared Spurgeon has played in 32 games, where he has scored four goals and assisted on nine more (13 points). He’s also the second-best shot-blocker on the team.

Related: Minnesota Wild Looking for Fights in Nashville Pretty Much from Puck Drop

When healthy, the Minnesota Wild have one of the best and deepest blue lines in the league. But without their captain, they have been a shell of themselves, allowing nearly five goals per game in their last four losses. Unfortunately, the return of Spurgeon won’t put the Wild blue line at full strength, as they await the return of Jonas Brodin from injured reserve.

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