Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek will be absent from the lineup for at least the opening pair of contests in their Western Conference second-round playoff matchup versus the Colorado Avalanche, head coach John Hynes announced before Sunday’s series opener.
The 29-year-old sustained his injury during the series-deciding sixth game against Dallas when his right leg collided with the boards. He remained behind and did not travel with the squad to Denver.
Coach Hynes expressed optimism about Eriksson Ek’s potential return, stating he was “hopeful” the center could rejoin the lineup for Saturday’s third game back in Minneapolis.
During the Dallas playoff series, Eriksson Ek contributed three goals and tallied five total points. Throughout the regular season, he recorded 19 goals and accumulated 51 points across 70 games played.
The Wild will also be without defenseman Jonas Brodin, who is dealing with a lower-body injury and likewise stayed home from the Denver trip. Team officials confirmed Saturday that the 32-year-old defender has been ruled out for the first two contests of the series.
