![\"Mats](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/NHL-Minnesota-Wild-at-Dallas-Stars-28724299-scaled-e1776881179222.jpg\")
Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCredit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
The Minnesota Wild will play their first 2026 NHL Playoff game ever at Grand Casino Arena tonight, kind of. The previous 48 postseason games, of course, were played in the same building, just under a different naming rights sponsor. Officially, the Wild finished 18-30<\/a> in the Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center.<\/p>\n Nonetheless, it\u2019s fitting that Game 3 of MN Wild vs Dallas Stars<\/a> will be played under a newly named arena, since this postseason has a completely different feel than previous playoff appearances.<\/p>\n After Bill Guerin traded for Quinn Hughes this winter, then he and Hughes, along with Brock Faber and Matt Boldy, won a Gold Medal<\/a> at the 2026 Winter Olympics \u2014 expectations shifted back home in St. Paul, where a Stanley Cup suddenly feels more real than any other time in the Minnesota Wild\u2019s 25-year history<\/a>.<\/p>\n However, injuries to forwards Mats Zuccarello (head) in game one and NHL hits leader Yakov Trenin in game two have suddenly put a damper into the Wild\u2019s postseason plans. Zuccy\u2019s unavailability for game 2 was especially impactful, which we\u2019ll get into momentarily.<\/p>\n Minnesota Wild lose Zuccarello, Trenin for Game 3<\/p>\n First, let\u2019s get into today\u2019s somewhat worrisome injury update. Earlier today, Michael Russo (The Athletic)<\/a> reported<\/a> that Zuccarello and Trenin \u2014 neither of whom participated in the MN Wild\u2019s morning skate \u2014 would be game-time decisions for Game 3.<\/p>\n But moments ago, the Wild\u2019s PR team revealed on social media that both forwards are officially out tonight. According to Russo, Brink is playing on the top line opposite Kaprizov, directly replacing Zuccarello. Sturm is playing left wing on the fourth line.<\/p>\n #mnwild<\/a> injury update: forwards Yakov Trenin (upper body) and Mats Zuccarello (upper body) will not play tonight vs. Dallas.<\/p>\n \u2014 Minnesota Wild PR (@mnwildPR) April 23, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n #mnwild<\/a> lines<\/p>\n Kaprizov-Hartman-Brink Hughes-Faber Wallstedt<\/p>\n \u2014 Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) April 23, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n More Game 3 News: MN Wild Sticking with Wallstedt<\/a><\/p>\n Kirill Kaprizov may need Mats Zuccarello\u2026<\/p>\n In game 1<\/a>, not only did Mats assist on three of the Wild\u2019s six goals, but on the right side of Kaprizov, Minnesota\u2019s highly-paid superstar shined just like the rest of Minnesota\u2019s stars in that 6-1 blowout victory \u2014 potting one goal and added two assists.<\/p>\n Without Zuccarello in the lineup for game 2<\/a>, though, Kirill had a lot less \u201cThrill\u201d, registering just one point (an assist), while turning the puck over twice. He didn\u2019t cough it up once in game 1.<\/p>\n Of course, the most frustrating part of Mats Zuccarello\u2019s injury is how it happened \u2014 via Tyler Myers\u2019 left elbow, which he clearly threw into Zuccy\u2019s forehead (on purpose), causing the 38-year-old<\/a> to crumple to the ice.<\/p>\n Tyler Myers caught Mats Zuccarello with the elbow and sits for 2 minutes \ud83d\ude33 pic.twitter.com\/dBeA60O8Mp<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) April 18, 2026<\/a> More About:Minnesota Wild<\/a><\/p>\n Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google. \t\t\t
Johansson-Eriksson Ek-Boldy
N. Foligno-Yurov-Tarasenko
Sturm-McCarron-M. Foligno<\/p>\n
Brodin-Spurgeon
Middleton-Bogosian<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMentioned in this article: Dallas Stars<\/a> injury updates<\/a> Mats Zuccarello<\/a> NHL Playoffs<\/a> Yakov Trenin<\/a> <\/p>\n![\"Add](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/google_preferred_source_badge.png\"){kind=icon}
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