Wild lose Jared Spurgeon, Joel Eriksson Ek to injury ahead of Winnipeg matchup

Date:

Share post:


WINNIPEG – We’re two games into this season and there’s already an ominous feeling surrounding the Wild.

With the Wild facing their first big test of the season against the rival Winnipeg Jets, they’ll drop the puck Sunday night without captain Jared Spurgeon and their best center, Joel Eriksson Ek. Neither player traveled to Winnipeg for the first game of a seven-game road trip.

As of right now, the Wild are saying both are day-to-day. In fact, coach John Hynes said he expects Eriksson Ek to meet the Wild in St. Louis on Monday or Tuesday morning for Tuesday night’s game against the Blues. He caught an elbow from Seattle Kraken defenseman Adam Larsson on the nose in the second period of Saturday night’s shootout loss.

He missed more than half of the second period, returned for the third wearing a full bubble shield, played one shift and left for good.

Spurgeon on the other hand is said to have a lower-body injury but played 19 1/2 minutes against the Kraken, including two shifts in overtime. Last season, Spurgeon only played 16 games due to shoulder, hip and back injuries. He ultimately underwent season-ending hip surgery followed by back surgery a month later.

Spurgeon said he played last season in agony at times and would often have to untie his skates on the bench between shifts in order to attempt to alleviate numbness in his foot.

GO DEEPER

Wild lifer Jared Spurgeon eager to get back into games — and the playoffs — after torturous lost season

It’s unknown if the current malady has anything to do with last year’s issues.

“Spurgy’s getting re-evaluated today,” coach John Hynes said before Sunday’s game. “I would say right now Ek is expected against St. Louis. Spurgy I gotta find out more.

“We gotta make sure we have the guys that are going to be in some different roles, have to step up and play well. So, that’s what we’re looking to do.”

Left wing Marcus Johansson also sustained a leg injury during Saturday’s game. He is on the trip and is expected to warm up. If he can’t play, the Wild recalled Travis Boyd from AHL Iowa and he’d take Johansson’s spot in the lineup.

Rookie Liam Öhgren will make his season debut in place of Eriksson Ek. If Johansson can’t play, Öhgren will play left wing on a line with Ryan Hartman and Matt Boldy. If Johansson plays, Öhgren will play on the fourth line with Freddy Gaudreau and Jakub Lauko.

Regardless, Hartman will play second-line center and Marat Khusnutdinov will play third-line center.

Former Jets defenseman Declan Chisholm will make his season debut for Spurgeon.

This is obviously a tough way to play the Jets, who have a five-game winning streak against the Wild.

“We feel we’ve gotten stronger in our depth,” Hynes said. “It’s never a great time. But we gotta manage it the right way and we gotta find a way to get a gritty road win here tonight.”

(Photo: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)



Source link

Alexandra Williams
Alexandra Williams
Alexandra Williams is a writer and editor. Angeles. She writes about politics, art, and culture for LinkDaddy News.

Recent posts

Related articles

LSU student senate unanimously opposes Gov. Jeff Landry's plan to bring live tigers to football games

LSU’s student senate unanimously passed a resolution on Wednesday night pushing for LSU leadership to ban all...

Broadcaster Diamond will emerge from bankruptcy after judge approves plan

A federal judge in Houston on Thursday gave broadcaster Diamond Sports Group the green light to emerge...

Rays to play 2025 home games at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa after hurricane damage to Trop

The Tampa Bay Rays, for the first time in their history, will actually play their home games...

NFL Week 11 fantasy football, betting cheat sheet: Prepare for fireworks between Eagles, Commanders

Welcome to the Week 11 NFL fantasy and betting cheat sheet, a one-stop-shop for The Athletic’s game...

Roki Sasaki season is here, plus Scott Boras' big test

The Windup Newsletter ⚾ | This is The Athletic’s daily MLB newsletter. Sign up here to receive...

About Victor Wembanyama's speedy 50 burger. Plus, the Cavaliers remain perfect!

The Bounce Newsletter  | This is The Athletic’s daily NBA newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Bounce directly in...

Canucks notebook: Is Marcus Pettersson a trade fit? Is Nils Höglander in the doghouse?

The Vancouver Canucks bounced back impressively against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night and will look to...

Harry Kane's criticism of England pullouts does not take into account player workloads or priorities

Harry Kane has been, from the earliest days of his top-level career, pretty skilled at talking a...