Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek left in the third period with an injury and did not return for the remainder of the game.
Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek left in the third period with an injury and did not return for the remainder of the game.
ST. PAUL - This is a massive blow for the Wild. Joel Eriksson Ek left the game in the third period with an injury.
In the last 17 games, Eriksson Ek has eight goals and 21 points. Only Kirill Kaprizov has more goals and points than Eriksson Ek in that span.
His injury happened in the third period after he got hit awkwardly into the boards in between the two benches. He looked to be favoring his back while he hobbled to the bench bent over. He then went down the tunnel and did not return to the game.
This is a huge loss for the Wild if Eriksson Ek is out long-term as Eriksson Ek has blossomed into the Wild's No. 1 center this year and has been quite impressive.
Marat Khusnutdinov was expected to be in the lineup soon so he could fill a top-six center role if Eriksson Ek is out longer than expected. Otherwise, Ryan Hartman, Marco Rossi, or Freddy Gaudreau could.
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