Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Wild are back on the Grand Casino Arena ice Monday night, looking to tie up their second round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche at 2-2, an opportunity they have after a dominant 5-1 victory over the Avs in Game 3.
Unfortunately, not only will they yet again play without Jonas Brodin — who we’ll be lucky to see again this postseason — but Joel Eriksson Ek too.
With Brodin, we’ve known for nearly two weeks now that his injury is severe enough that his series vs Colorado is over. His 2026 NHL Playoffs may be as well. Ek’s status, on the other hand, has been less concrete.
Minnesota Wild forced to play without Joel Eriksson Ek again
But this morning, Michael Russo (The Athletic) relayed the bad news via X, that Joel Eriksson Ek will not play in Game 4 against the Colorado Avalanche, noting Ek’s lower-body injury as “touch and go”.
Eriksson Ek not playing tonight. Just “touch and go” with him right now. Same #mnwild lineup https://t.co/nwoLC7tqLg
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) May 11, 2026
And now, Eriksson Ek’s “touch and go” status feels even less sure than it did heading into the weekend. When the 29-year-old returned to practice on a limited basis Friday, he appeared closer to a return than ever.
Ek was originally injured on an awkward hit in Game 6 against the Dallas Stars and has pretty much been a day-of-game decision for all four games in against the Colorado Avalanche.
More MN Wild News: Local Beat Writers Put Team and “Mopey” Goalie on Blast
While his questionable status has allowed hope that the MN Wild could get one of their most crucial pieces back sooner than later… it’s also resulted in extreme disappointment each time Eriksson Ek has been ultimately ruled out.
In the Minnesota Wild’s first six playoff games during this locally historic postseason run, Joel Eriksson Ek scored 3 goals and added 2 assists while averaging 23:44 TOI. He was also a +7 in those games.
Mentioned in this article: Colorado Avalanche injury updates Joel Eriksson Ek NHL Playoffs
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