The Minnesota Wild’s playoff hopes were dealt a major blow on Wednesday night when star forward Joel Eriksson Ek was forced to leave Game 4 of the Wild’s first-round series against the Dallas Stars due to an injury.
Eriksson Ek, who had been playing well throughout the series, was injured after a collision with Stars forward Corey Perry in the first period. He was seen limping off the ice and did not return to the game. The Wild have yet to provide an update on the severity of the injury and whether Eriksson Ek will be able to play in Game 5.
The loss of Eriksson Ek is a huge blow to the Wild’s chances of advancing in the playoffs. The 22-year-old Swede has been one of the team’s most consistent players this season, scoring 19 goals and adding 18 assists in 64 games. He has also been a key contributor in the playoffs, scoring two goals and adding two assists in the first four games of the series.
The Wild will now have to find a way to replace Eriksson Ek’s production if they are to have any chance of winning the series. It will be a difficult task, as Eriksson Ek is one of the team’s most important players. His absence could be especially damaging on the power play, where he has been one of the team’s most effective players.
The Wild will now have to rely on their depth players to step up and fill the void left by Eriksson Ek. It will be a tall order, but if they can find a way to do it, they may still have a chance of advancing in the playoffs.
The Wild will be hoping for a speedy recovery for Eriksson Ek, but until then they will have to find a way to win without him. It won’t be easy, but if they can do it, it could be a huge boost for their playoff hopes.
