The Minnesota Wild [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild] (38-18-12) is back in action tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks] (25-30-11) for a St. Patrick's Day Special. Chicago will have the river green just as the stands of the United Center are filled with forest green Wild jerseys. Minnesota had a morning skate today. Wild head coach John Hynes said [https://x.com/JoeSmithNHL/status/2033930012018028620?s=20] that they will be without their top center tonight. Joel Eriksson Ek will be out with a lower-body injury. General Manager Bill Guerin told Michael Russo of The Athletic [https://x.com/RussoHockey/status/2033941439537676423?s=20] that Eriksson Ek will miss at least the next three games. Eriksson Ek, 29, has 17 goals, 27 assists, 44 points and 92 hits in 62 games for Minnesota. For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free [https://thehockeynews.store/products/print-subscription?_gl=1*100me45*_ga*MTA5MzI2ODIxLjE3NjUzMjk0MDY.*_ga_ZET34ZFCGX*czE3NjkwMDM1NTMkbzE2MiRnMSR0MTc2OTAwNjQyNiRqNTYkbDAkaDA.]. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com. RECENT WILD STORIES 'He's The Captain For A Reason': From Undersized Prospect To Wild Captain, Jared Spurgeon Reaches 1,000 Games [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/0a5d8162-e1d6-4b8e-b9ab-54627c38fea6.jpeg] 'He's The Captain For A Reason': From Undersized Prospect To Wild Captain, Jared Spurgeon Reaches 1,000 Games Undersized, overlooked, and now a franchise icon. A sixth-round pick defied the odds, becoming a cornerstone and captain for his team's historic 1,000th game. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/latest-news/he-s-the-captain-for-a-reason-from-undersized-prospect-to-wild-captain-jared-spurgeon-reaches-1-000-games] - Wild Acquire Michael McCarron For A Second Round Pick. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/latest-news/wild-acquire-michael-mccarron-from-nashville-for-second-round-pick] - Wild Trade For Marcus Foligno's Brother, Nick Foligno From Blackhawks. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/latest-news/wild-acquire-chicago-blackhawks-captain-nick-foligno] - Wild Acquire Jeff Petry From Florida For A Conditional Seventh. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/latest-news/wild-acquire-defenseman-jeff-petry-from-florida-for-late-draft-pick] - Wild Claim Robby Fabbri Off Waivers From Blues. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/latest-news/wild-claim-robby-fabbri-of-waivers-place-tyler-pitlick-on-waivers] - 'Nothing's Going To Ruin This': USA General Manager Bill Guerin Speaks On Olympic Celebration Controversy. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/latest-news/nothing-s-going-to-ruin-this-usa-general-manager-bill-guerin-speaks-on-olympic-celebration-controversy]