The Minnesota Wild will face the Colorado Avalanche in Sunday night’s playoff opener without defenseman Jonas Brodin, who remained behind instead of making the trip to Denver with his teammates.
Additionally, forward Joel Eriksson Ek’s availability for the first game of the Western Conference second-round matchup remains in doubt.
The 32-year-old Brodin suffered a lower-body injury in the fifth game of Minnesota’s opening playoff round against Dallas. The injury occurred in the second period when he blocked a shot attempt from Dallas player Mikko Rantanen.
After missing Thursday’s series-clinching sixth game, Brodin recorded just one assist throughout the entire Dallas series. During the regular season, he contributed four goals and accumulated 18 points across 62 games.
Eriksson Ek’s injury happened during Game 6 when his right leg collided with the boards. The forward was absent from Saturday’s practice session.
Wild head coach John Hynes acknowledged he’s still weighing his options regarding Eriksson Ek’s roster spot given the uncertainty surrounding his condition.
“I’m kind of going through that a little bit right now,” Hynes said. “So, now you kind of go down that decision-making process of what would we do if he’s not ready.”
The 29-year-old Eriksson Ek contributed three goals and five total points against Dallas. Throughout the regular season, he netted 19 goals and tallied 51 points in 70 games played.
