Eriksson Ek, Brodin set to return for Wild against Sharks

The Minnesota Wild are getting a lineup boost with center Joel Eriksson Ek and defenseman Jonas Brodin set to return tonight as they continue their homestand against the San Jose Sharks in the team's first game since Saturday.

The Wild, who fell 5-4 in overtime to the St. Louis Blues last Saturday, had both Sunday and Monday off and then had two practice days on Tuesday and Wednesday before today's game. This four-day break from game action came at a good time because the Wild desperately needed Eriksson Ek and Brodin — who were both out with a lower-body injury — back in the lineup.

With two full practice days under their belt, they're back in the lineup tonight. Eriksson Ek has missed five games, while Brodin has missed the past two. The Wild are 2-1-2 in the past five games and have lost both games without Brodin.

The importance of having them back in the lineup can't be overstated, especially with a must-win game against the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday.

“Neither guy is the flashiest player,” Wild coach John Hynes told reporters after practice on Monday, “but I think if you really dig into what they bring to a team the roles that they fill, the situations that they play in, the consistency that they play with, to me, they're two excellent players not only for the Minnesota Wild, but I think throughout the league.”

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