Following what was truly a rough pair of games to open the Western Conference Semifinal against the rival Colorado Avalanche earlier this month, the Minnesota Wild managed to do what they badly needed to do once they returned to the friendly confines of Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul for Game 3.
The Wild stars came alive, as forwards Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy, along with defenseman Quinn Hughes, all found the back of the net en route to a 5-1 victory, cutting Colorado’s series lead in half prior to Monday’s crucial Game 4.
However, the Wild, who have been shorthanded for much of the playoffs dating back to their round one win over the Dallas Stars, are going to have to trudge on without one of their most important forwards.
Minnesota Wild Forward Joel Eriksson-Ek Will Not Play In Game 4 Against The Avalanche
Once again, the Wild will be without key forward Joel Eriksson-Ek, who has not played since the series-clinching Game 6 against the Stars on April 30.
“Eriksson Ek not playing tonight,” reported The Athletic’s Michael Russo shortly after the morning skate. “Just ‘touch and go’ with him right now. Same [Wild] lineup.”
Following their practice prior to Game 3, Hynes said that there was “potential” for Eriksson-Ek to play, which he ultimately didn’t.
“His first skate was today, I thought he looked good out there, and that was certainly encouraging,” said Hynes on May 8. “We had the plan for him to go out and skate before practice and then do some stuff in the practice, so we’ll see where it goes from there.
“I tell you guys all the time, this time of year, it’s not like guys are going to get a lot of time. Is he going to play? Is he a potential? I won’t know until game time tomorrow.”
So far in the postseason, Eriksson-Ek has scored three goals with two assists, while averaging 23:44 of ice time.
The Wild Did What They Had To Do In Game 3
Despite dropping both games in Colorado to begin the series, the Wild took care of business on their home ice in Game 3, winning by a 5-1 final score and dealing the Avalanche what was their very first loss of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Only the Carolina Hurricanes remain undefeated, as they’ve already punched their ticket to the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in three years thanks to two straight sweeps of the Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers.
Meanwhile, the Wild were given a boost when Kaprizov found the back of the net for the first time since Game 1 of the series.
“I thought Kirill was extremely competitive tonight and was on his game. It was good to see,” Hynes said of Kaprizov. “When he does that, you can see the type of impact he has on the game. I think he was indicative of the team that we knew we had to be better in certain areas, but as I said to you guys over the last couple of days, there are lots of things we did like in the first couple of games we just didn’t get rewarded for it and tonight we were able to do that.
“Hard-fought game, both teams were extremely competitive, but it’s more indicative of that’s the style of game that gives us the best chance to win.”
Wild Dealt Brutal Blow Before Game 4 Against Avalanche