ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild could be getting some reinforcements during their upcoming five-game road trip, but they will begin the trip without two key forwards.

Following Minnesota's 2-1 victory over the  Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday, Wild head coach John Hynes provided updates on five injured players ahead of the team's trip through Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest.

Defensemen Jared Spurgeon and Olli Matta, along with forward Nico Sturm, will travel with the team. However, forwards Marcus Foligno and Nick Foligno will remain in Minnesota to begin the trip.

"Both Folignos will not travel. Maatta, Spurgeon and Sturmy will travel," Hynes said.

While traveling with the team doesn't guarantee any of the three players will immediately return to the lineup, it's an encouraging development for a Minnesota team that has been dealing with numerous injuries early in the season.

Spurgeon has been sidelined with an upper-body injury and was placed on injured reserve Sunday before Minnesota's game against Columbus.

The Wild captain participated in Saturday's practice but was unavailable for Sunday's contest.

His potential return would provide a significant boost to Minnesota's depleted defensive group, which has been without both Spurgeon and Brock Faber.

Maatta has also been dealing with an upper-body injury after leaving Minnesota's game against Winnipeg on Tuesday. The veteran defenseman missed Sunday's contest against Columbus.

Meanwhile, Sturm has been sidelined after taking a puck to the head during Minnesota's October 12 game against the Vegas Golden Knights.

The veteran center subsequently entered concussion protocol and has missed the Wild's recent games.

Having all three players travel with the team provides some optimism that Minnesota could begin getting healthier during the upcoming trip.

However, Hynes did not provide specific return dates for any of them. Although, Spurgeon is eligible to come off the injured list on Tuesday.

While three injured players will accompany the team, Marcus and Nick Foligno will remain in Minnesota to begin the road trip.

Marcus has been dealing with a mid-body injury, while Nick has been sidelined with an upper-body injury.

Both players have recently resumed skating, but neither is ready to return to game action.

Hynes indicated that the brothers could potentially join the team later in the trip, depending on how their recoveries progress.

"I would say just the start and I would know more, possibly maybe at the end of it with that back-to-back and maybe the Utah because there is time," Hynes said.

"But to start the trip both guys will stay here."

Minnesota's five-game trip begins Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers before continuing Thursday in Calgary.

The Wild will then face Seattle on Saturday and Vancouver on Sunday in a back-to-back before concluding the trip Tuesday, October 27, against Utah.

That schedule gives the Foligno brothers additional time to recover before a potential return later in the trip.

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