WILD WEDNESDAY - Injury Bug and Khusnutdinov Stepping Up!
Injury Woes Continue
The Wild just can’t catch a break. In Tuesday night’s matchup against the Ducks, a frustrated Alex Killorn threw Jonas Brodin to the ice after a collision along the boards resulting in Brodin landing awkwardly on his leg. We will know more after his MRI today, but it was confirmed that it was not an ACL tear, which is a huge relief.
https://x.com/MinnyHockey/status/1770302667836842080?s=20
Clearly, Killorn is playing out of frustration because in Thursday’s matchup, he dangerously tripped Ryan Hartman and that was not called either. I mean, I would be pretty upset if I had to suit up for the Ducks every night too.
This is the second time this season Brodin has been injured in an unnecessary play. The first time was on Dec. 8 when Evander Kane of the Oilers took a run at Brodin against the boards when all he saw was numbers. Brodin was out for over a month with an upper body injury due to that play.
https://x.com/AlexMicheletti/status/1733338071603576967?s=20
This is unfortunate timing to lose Brodin for any amount of time with only four weeks left in the regular season. Dakota Mermis is currently the extra defenseman on the California trip, so I assume he will take his spot for tonight’s game. Otherwise, they might have to dust the cobwebs off Alex Goligoski since the last time he played was on Feb. 7 in Chicago.
This really has been a nightmare season of injuries for the Wild. When Kaprizov missed eight games in January from the injury he sustained in Winnipeg, the Wild went 1-7 with the only win against Columbus. Brodin, Gustavsson, Zuccarello and Foligno also missed time during that period resulting in one of the worst stretches for the Wild this season. Bottom line is, I truly believe the Wild would be sitting comfortably in a playoff spot if they did not have to face all of these injuries.
Now tonight, the Wild have to face one of the teams they are chasing for the last playoff spot, LA, without two of their key players – Ek and Brodin.
Faceoffs Feared No More
On a more positive note, Marat Khusnutdinov has been extremely dominant in the faceoff circle, something the Wild have struggled with for years. Clearly, Wild fans are not used to seeing this as Khusnutdinov said he has never been cheered for back-to-back faceoff wins.
“Two faceoffs, Ooooo. Ooooo,” Khusnutdinov sarcastically told Michael Russo after his debut against the Ducks Thursday. “Like okay, thank you.”
Let us appreciate the little things, Marat!
Khusnutdinov also secured his first point with the Wild in Tuesday’s game against Anaheim. After a clean faceoff win, the puck ended up at the point for Merrill to score on a wicked wrister.
https://x.com/MinnyHockey/status/1770285222497517600?s=20
The Road Ahead
The Wild are back within three points of a playoff spot behind Vegas and are 5-0-2 in their last seven games. Although Vegas has a game in hand, the Wild have a much easier schedule and they also still play Vegas two times this year. Nashville can’t seem to lose suddenly as they are 13-0-2 in their last 15 games, so it looks like the only two teams the Wild could catch are Vegas or LA. The Blues are also still in the running as they are only one point behind the Wild. The Wild are currently eight points behind Nashville and five points behind LA.
The Wild are in LA tonight and return home to face the Blues on Saturday. Tonight’s game will put Fleury’s recent number one status to the test as he has been getting the tougher starts over Gus. Rittich is in net for LA.
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