Thanks to the clutch performances by forward Matt Boldy and defenseman Quinn Hughes, along with rookie goaltender Jesper Wallstedt, the Minnesota Wild defeated the rival Dallas Stars in six games of their opening round Stanley Cup Playoff series.
It marked the first time since 2015 that the Wild advanced past the opening round, having done so then over the St. Louis Blues. The exuberant sellout crowd at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul was rowdy with excitement at having seen the first postseason series win in 11 years by their club.
Things won’t get any easier for the Wild, who finished third overall in the Central Division standings this season. While they dispatched the second-ranked Stars, their reward for doing so is a showdown with the President’s Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche.
However, there will be one key member of the Wild forward units that will miss at least the first two games of what is the first playoff matchup between Minnesota and Colorado since 2014.
Minnesota Wild Forward Joel Eriksson Ek Will Miss At Least The First Two Games Against the Avalanche
According to comments made by Wild head coach John Hynes on Sunday, center Joel Eriksson Ek will be unavailable for at least the first two games of their impending series against the Avalanche.
The Swedish center also didn’t travel with the club to Denver, where the first two games will be played from Ball Arena. So far in the playoffs, Eriksson Ek scored three goals and two assists.
Additionally, defenseman Jonas Brodin is also expected to miss at least the same amount of time; he’s been absent since he was injured while blocking a shot from Stars forward Mikko Rantanen during their Game 5 victory in Dallas.
But in the words of Wild general manager Bill Guerin, they have to press on without them for the time being.
“They’re important players in our lineup, but you just can’t cry over it,” Guerin told The Athletic. “You just have to be prepared, be ready. Be ready with the guys that are able to play, and when those guys come back, they come back. But this is life, this is hockey. Injuries happen, and that’s why you have depth.”
There is concern for Eriksson Ek, considering that he already suffered a broken bone in his leg twice already in his career.
The Wild Will Be Shorthanded For The Start Of Their Clash Against The Avalanche
Despite missing multiple key players, the Wild have no choice but to try and press on and use the momentum they garnered from their opening round victory over the Stars to propel them into the clash with Colorado.
According to the official Wild website, they are expected to skate the following forward and defensive units in Game 1, which will be played later on Sunday evening in Denver:
Minnesota Wild Announce Worrying Injury Update Before Facing Avalanche