Wild Top Line Center Expected To Play Tonight In Buffalo

Danila Yurov will be in the lineup Tuesday night when the Minnesota Wild  (2-0-0) face the Buffalo Sabres (1-1-0) after leaving Monday’s practice early.

Yurov’s status was uncertain entering Tuesday after the 22-year-old center exited practice early with an upper-body injury. Wild coach John Hynes said afterward that Yurov’s departure was precautionary and that the team wasn’t yet sure whether he would be available against Buffalo.

Yurov had been banged up during Minnesota’s 4-1 win over the Boston Bruins on Saturday, leading the Wild to limit him during Monday’s practice.

His availability is good news for a Wild team already playing without defenseman Brock Faber and goaltender Filip Gustavsson.

Yurov has centered Kirill Kaprizov and Maxim Shabanov on Minnesota’s top line through the first two games of the season. He recorded an assist in the Wild’s season-opening 3-1 win over the Nashville Predators and has one point through two games.

Minnesota had prepared for the possibility of playing without Yurov during Monday’s practice.

Ryan Hartman moved between Kaprizov and Shabanov after Yurov left the ice, while Michael McCarron moved up to center Yakov Trenin and Bobby Brink. Nico Sturm was expected to enter the lineup if Yurov couldn’t play.

That contingency won’t be necessary Tuesday. Sturm was getting bagged with David Spacek after morning skate so that would indicate Yurov is in.

Puck drop between the Wild and Sabres is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT at KeyBank Center.

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