![\"Joel](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/NHL-Stanley-Cup-Playoffs-Minnesota-Wild-at-Dallas-Stars-28761670-scaled-e1778518180281.jpg\")
Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCredit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
The Minnesota Wild are back on the Grand Casino Arena ice Monday night<\/a>, 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<\/a> over the Avs in Game 3.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, not only will they yet again play without Jonas Brodin<\/a> \u2014 who we\u2019ll be lucky to see again<\/a> this postseason \u2014 but Joel Eriksson Ek too.<\/p>\n With Brodin, we\u2019ve known for nearly two weeks<\/a> now that his injury is severe enough that his series vs Colorado is over. His 2026 NHL Playoffs may be as well. Ek\u2019s status, on the other hand, has been less concrete.<\/p>\n Minnesota Wild forced to play without Joel Eriksson Ek again<\/p>\n But this morning, Michael Russo (The Athletic)<\/a> relayed the bad news via X, that Joel Eriksson Ek will not play in Game 4 against the Colorado Avalanche, noting Ek\u2019s lower-body injury as \u201ctouch and go\u201d.<\/p>\n Eriksson Ek not playing tonight. Just \u201ctouch and go\u201d with him right now. Same #mnwild<\/a> lineup https:\/\/t.co\/nwoLC7tqLg<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) May 11, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n And now, Eriksson Ek\u2019s \u201ctouch and go\u201d status feels even less sure than it did heading into the weekend. When the 29-year-old<\/a> returned to practice on a limited basis<\/a> Friday, he appeared closer to a return than ever.<\/p>\n Ek was originally injured on an awkward hit<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n More MN Wild News: Local Beat Writers Put Team and \u201cMopey\u201d Goalie on Blast<\/a><\/p>\n While his questionable status has allowed hope that the MN Wild could get one of their most crucial pieces back sooner than later\u2026 it\u2019s also resulted in extreme disappointment each time Eriksson Ek has been ultimately ruled out<\/a>.<\/p>\n In the Minnesota Wild\u2019s first six playoff games during this locally historic postseason run, Joel Eriksson Ek scored 3 goals and added 2 assists while averaging<\/a> 23:44 TOI. He was also a +7 in those games.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMentioned in this article: Colorado Avalanche<\/a> injury updates<\/a> Joel Eriksson Ek<\/a> NHL Playoffs<\/a> <\/p>\n More About:Minnesota Wild<\/a><\/p>\n Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google. \t\t\t![\"Add](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/google_preferred_source_badge.png\"){kind=icon}
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