The Minnesota Wild have been among the best teams in the NHL all season long. It has been a three-team race for the President’s Trophy all year, and John Hynes’ team brings up the rear.
Back in action after a break for the Olympics, things have hit the skids. Carrying a 34-14-10 record prior to Milan, they have gone just 5-4-2 since. Bill Geurin didn’t add significantly at the trade deadline, and the lines may be limping to the finish.
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With 12 regular season games left, the MN Wild have their eyes on a postseason run. They won’t have Kirill Kaprizov for the entirety of that stretch though.
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Kirill Kaprizov out for Minnesota Wild
It has been nothing short of an impressive season for Kirill Kaprizov. He has played in every single one of the Wild’s 69 games this season. For a guy who has traditionally missed substantial time, that has been great to see. The run comes to an end on Thursday night against Chicago though.
After a game in Chicago on Tuesday night, the two sides are pitted against one another again on Thursday. This tilt takes place at Grand Casino Arena, and Kaprizov won’t be active.
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Kaprizov assisted Ryan Hartman’s opening goal against the Blackhawks in their latest meeting. He has 38 goals this season, and 42 assists, to total 80 points. Having played 81 games during the 2021-22 season, he’s just six shy of tying his second-highest mark (75) from 2023-24.
The NHL could not be less descriptive with their injury designations. Kaprizov having a lower-body injury would also be in line with both of his legs being amputated if the Wild chose to classify it as such. Of course this isn’t that serious, and Michael Russo (The Atheltic) doesn’t believe this malady is too serious.
Ultimately, down the stretch, the Minnesota Wild could be practicing some load management with their superstar. They are six points shy of Dallas, and eight of Colorado while both have at least a game in hand. There isn’t a real path for anyone in the Central to catch them either.
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With first round exits in the Stanley Cup playoffs mounting, the Wild must come correct when immediately facing either of those two foes. Having the most-rested version of Kaprizov could help to accomplish that.
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