Wilderness Walk: Kaprizov leaves game injured

Well, that’s certainly one way to dampen the spirits after the Minnesota Wild make it 10 games in a row where they have earned at least a point when they won 4-2 over the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday night.

Halfway through the third period, giant defenseman Logan Stanley falls right on top of Kirill Kaprizov as he’s in a difficult position.

The Wild star left the game and did not return. After the game, head coach Dean Evason was not able to give any updates except that Kaprizov will be getting a full evaluation during the team’s day off on Thursday.

Selfishly, the Wild potentially losing their best player as they fight for the top spot in the division is disheartening at this time of the season. I guess let’s just hope that he’s fully healthy in time for playoffs.

If we’re looking for good news, Kaprizov skated himself off the ice.

That’s Wild

• For more details on Kaprizov’s injury, The Athletic put out a little write-up on the situation. [The Athletic]
• As he makes himself a mainstay on a forward line with some scoring punch, the Wild are finally recognizing that Joel Eriksson Ek can hold his own offensively in addition to being one of the best defensive forwards in the NHL. [10K Rinks]

Off the trail...

• After spearing Corey Perry with the end of his stick like a little child, Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Tony DeAngelo got suspended for two games. [Broad Street Hockey]
• Ten years later, ESPN redrafts the 2013 NHL Entry Draft with Nathan MacKinnon at the top again (duh). [ESPN]
• Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar isn’t sure that captain Gabe Landeskog can fully return to top-tier form with the team. [NHL dot com]