The Minnesota Wild (16-17-4) haven’t had a lot of positive news lately because of their rash of injuries and having to play shorthanded, but on Friday, the Wild activated veteran forward Mats Zuccarello from injured reserve.
According to The Athletic's Michael Russo, Zuccarello broke his arm in the Wild's 2-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks at home on Dec. 16. Not only did the veteran winger finish the game, but he scored the shootout winner.
Zuccarello's upper-body injury kept him out of the lineup the past nine games, where the went Wild 4-5. He returns tonight as the Wild hope to end their four-game losing streak in Columbus against the Blue Jackets (13-19-8).
Zuccarello's return is really good news for the Wild, who are only five points away from the Seattle Kraken in the second wild-card spot despite losing four in a row. The Wild have to start finding ways to win before the gap gets bigger, so the importance of having Zuccarello back in the lineup can't be overstated.
That's especially true with forwards Kirill Kaprizov, Marcus Foligno and Vinni Lettieri, defensemen Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin and goalie Filip Gustavsson all still out with injuries.
Zuccarello led the Wild in points before his injury and has been one of their most important forwards this season. The 36-year-old has six goals and 28 points in 28 games this season, and the Wild have missed his playmaking and passing ability and vision.
With Zuccarello on the ice, the Wild have outscored the opposition 19-15 at five-on-five, while controlling 54.35 of the expected goal share.
Zuccarello’s return comes at a good time, too, with the Wild facing the Dallas Stars on both Monday and Wednesday.
All data via Natural Stat Trick