Minnesota Wild’s Joel Eriksson Ek and Oskar Sundqvist leave game vs. Penguins early with injuries

The Minnesota Wild took a big hit in the injury department on Thursday night, as forwards Joel Eriksson Ek and Oskar Sundqvist left their game against the Pittsburgh Penguins with injuries.

Wild head coach Dean Evason said that both players will be evaluated on Friday to get a better idea as to the severity of the injuries.

Eriksson Ek’s injury occurred midway through the second period when he blocked a shot from Penguins center Evgeni Malkin to start a power play. He looked to be in discomfort and struggled to get up while the play was still going on, which would then lead to a goal that made it 2-0 for Pittsburgh, and would hold as the eventual game winner in the Penguins 4-1 win.

Hopefully it’s nothing too severe, as it could impede with what has been a great year for Eriksson Ek. On top of being one of the best defensive centers in the game right now, he’s also broken out offensively this season with 23 goals, 38 assists, and 61 points in 78 games, besting his previous career high of 49 points set in 2021-22.

Sundqvist’s injury also occurred during the second period, as he left the game after taking several cross-checks from Penguins defenseman Kris Letang. Letang did not receive a penalty for the infraction, and shortly after, Jonas Brodin got a penalty for the Wild.

Sundqvist has produced about as expected as a bottom six forward, with 10 goals, 18 assists, and 28 points in 67 games played, including three goals, four assists, and seven points in 14 games since joining the Wild. He was acquired by the Wild at the trade deadline in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2023 draft.

While the Wild aren’t in any urgent need to have both players back during the regular season with their playoff spot secured, they would probably like to have them back for the playoffs, especially Eriksson Ek. The Wild currently sit in third in the Central Division with a 44-24-10 record, although the race for the top spot is quite tight with all three teams within two points of each other.