Daily Faceoff is a news site with no direct affiliation to the NHL, or NHLPA

Minnesota Wild News

Zuccarello (maintenance) will not play on Friday; expected to be ready for the playoffs.

Zuccarello made a surprise return to the Stars lineup on Tuesday but will be shutdown for the rest of the regular season to ensure that he is ready to go for the playoffs. Zuccarello has one goal and two assists in two games with Dallas so they can only hope he is 100 percent in the postseason.

Mats Zuccarello
Eriksson Ek is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

Eriksson Ek suffered a lower-body injury vs. the Sharks on Tuesday and will not play Thursday vs. the Stars. Head coach Bruce Boudreau said that he “hopes” it doesn’t keep him out for no longer than a week. Luke Kunin will replace Eriksson Ek in the lineup on Thursday.

Joel Eriksson Ek
Johansson will miss at least one week with a lung contusion.

Johansson underwent evaluation at Massachusetts General Hospital after leaving Tuesday’s game vs. the Hurricanes and was diagnosed with a lung contusion. Johansson will be re-evaluated in one week. Peter Cehlarik will move onto the second line on Thursday with Johansson sidelined.

Marcus Johansson
Zuccarello will undergo surgery on his broken arm on Tuesday; expected to miss at least four weeks.

The Stars confirmed what was originally feared, a broken arm that will require surgery and cost him at least one month. This is a horrible break for the Stars, who paid a premium to acquire Zuccarello from the Rangers. However, if they can stay afloat in the Western Conference playoff race, Zuccarello should be available for some meaningful games down the stretch and ultimately the playoffs, should they make it.

Mats Zuccarello