Wild’s Kaprizov and Eriksson Ek Set to Return Against Sharks

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild could see the return of key forwards Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek on Wednesday night when they host the San Jose Sharks at Xcel Energy Center. Following a series of injuries, both players practiced with the team and are expected to play, pending a final evaluation after the morning skate.

“We’re hopeful they’re going to play,” said Wild coach John Hynes. “They’ve got one more skate here, and meet with the trainers and finalize it.”

Kaprizov has been out for 28 consecutive games and missed 40 of the last 43 due to a significant lower-body injury that required surgery in January. The 27-year-old winger last played on January 26 against the Chicago Blackhawks, where he was tied for fourth in the NHL with 52 points at that time.

General manager Bill Guerin announced the surgery back in late January, indicating he hoped Kaprizov could return for the end of the regular season. “We are excited for his return, as he was having an MVP-caliber season before the injury,” Hynes added.

Similarly, Eriksson Ek has missed the past 21 games, also due to a lower-body injury. The 28-year-old center has 24 points this season and is known for his strong presence on the ice, especially during power plays and penalty kills.

The Wild currently stand at 42-29-7, holding the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference and are just two points behind the St. Louis Blues. Kaprizov and Eriksson Ek’s return could be pivotal in their push for the playoffs.

<p“They both come back and change the dynamic of our lines,” said Hynes. “It’s important they get back into the groove, as they’ve been away for a while.”

Kaprizov’s recent absence was compounded after he initially came back for just three games following 12 missed games late last year. The Russian star suffered a setback, forcing the Wild to make him undergo surgery. He has a total of 23 goals and 29 assists this season, leaving a significant scoring gap during his absence.

On the other hand, Eriksson Ek’s streak of injuries included over three weeks out in December, making his consistent performance critical to the team’s success. Currently, he has scored nine goals and 15 assists over 42 games this season.

<p“With only a handful of games left, we need both of these guys back to boost our morale and enhance our on-ice performance,” stated fellow team member Marcus Foligno. “We understand it won’t be easy for them to jump right back into game shape.”

To accommodate the returning players, the Wild reassigned forwards Devin Shore and Brendan Gaunce to their AHL affiliate in Iowa. “Our focus is readying for the playoffs, and having Kaprizov and Eriksson Ek back can elevate our game,” said Foligno, anticipating tough competition ahead.