Wild’s Joel Eriksson Ek to miss first two games against Avalanche
A key player is going to miss the first pair of contests in the Central Division Final.
When speaking to the media on Sunday, Minnesota Wild head coach John Hynes revealed that forward Joel Eriksson Ek will miss Games 1 and 2 of the team’s second-round series against the Colorado Avalanche. He admitted the team is hopeful that Eriksson Ek will be back in the lineup when the series shifts back to St. Paul for Game 3.
Hynes confirms Eriksson Ek is out for Games 1 and 2 and they’re hopeful for 3 Hynes says the Wild are still debating whether to play Danila Yurov or Hunter Haight in place of Eriksson Ek and which defenseman will play for Brodin
Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek out for Games 1 and 2 vs. Avalanche: Source nytimes.com/athletic/72503… via @NYTimes
In his place, forward Daemon Hunt will be making his Stanley Cup Playoff debut, with Danila Yurov is expected to jump in the lineup on Sunday night.
Also, defenseman Jonas Brodin is going to miss the first game in Denver.
Eriksson Ek suffered a lower-body injury in the final game of the first round against the Dallas Stars after crashing into the boards. While he returned to the game, helping secure a 5-2 win and the franchise’s playoff series victory in 11 years.
The Swedish center was an impact player at both ends of the rink against the rival Stars. He scored three goals and five points in the six-game set, posting a plus/minus of +7 while averaging 23:44 of ice time.
Brodin suffered a lower-body injury after blocking a shot in Game 5 against Dallas, which led to him missing Game 6. He notched an assist in five appearances in the series. Veteran blueliner Jeff Petry took his place in the lineup in the clinching win, and will do so again on Sunday night.
Hunt appeared in 32 games this season for Minnesota, registering six assists with a -3 rating. Yurov played in the first four games against the Stars, but didn’t score any points.