Wild's Jonas Brodin out, Joel Eriksson Ek questionable for Game 1 vs. Avalanche

AtlanticBruinsCanadiensLightningMaple LeafsPanthersRed WingsSabresSenatorsMetropolitanBlue JacketsCapitalsDevilsFlyersHurricanesIslandersPenguinsRangersCentralAvalancheBlackhawksBluesJetsMammothPredatorsStarsWildPacificCanucksDucksFlamesGolden KnightsKingsKrakenOilersSharksScores & ScheduleStandingsPodcastsFantasyNHL OddsNHL PicksPlayoff bracketStanley Cup tiersNHL Draft rankingRed Light NewsletterNHL Playoffs Jonas Brodin didn't travel with the Wild to Denver ahead of Sunday's Game 1 of the team's second-round series. Sergei Belski / Imagn Images Share article3ST. PAUL, Minn. — How Minnesota Wild. Riding high with confidence after dispatching the Dallas Stars in six games to get to the second round for the first time since 2015, the Wild are about to open a series with the best team in the NHL, the highest-scoring team in the NHL and the club with arguably the best center depth in the NHL — without their most mobile shutdown defenseman and perhaps even their best two-way centerman. Just prior to the Wild heading to the airport to fly to Denver to begin a best-of-seven series with the Colorado Avalanche, Wild coach John Hynes confirmed that defenseman Jonas Brodin won’t accompany the team to Denver and added that he was awaiting word if Joel Eriksson Ek would. Eriksson Ek is officially listed as questionable after losing an edge and slamming hard into the side boards right-leg first in the third period of Game 6. He’d eventually return to the game and finish, but it was clear from the way he hit the boards that he would not be completely healthy in the coming days. Brodin is officially listed as out after blocking Mikko Rantanen’s shot early in the second period of Game 5. With no Brodin, Jake Middleton was elevated to the second pair alongside Jared Spurgeon, and the Wild went with a right-shot-right-shot combo on the third pair with Zach Bogosian and Jeff Petry in Game 6. They got extremely limited minutes, with Petry only logging 7:13 and Bogosian 11:37. Asked if that was sustainable, especially on the road where Avs coach Jared Bednar will get last line change and can get mismatches, or if left-shot Daemon Hunt could make his playoff debut, Hynes said, “That’s another topic of discussion. When you get a guy or two out of your lineup, we know we have different options. But I think the difference is, with this team, you have different style of options. You feel like, ‘OK, this is what we think is the right decision for this game.’ And maybe it really goes well, but if it doesn’t, I think you also have another opportunity to make a change, too. “Not that we wouldn’t be willing to make changes. I think things were pretty status quo for the most part in the Dallas series. This one might be different, because we came in totally healthy to the Dallas series for the most part. So there will be a couple different things that are certainly things that we’re talking about. Indications during Saturday’s practice were that Hunt won’t play in Game 1. He stayed on the ice to get bagged by the assistant coaches with Ben Jones, Matt Kiersted, Hunter Haight and Robby Fabbri. As for Eriksson Ek, Hynes said he first learned Saturday morning that the veteran center is a question mark for Game 1 and may not be able to travel. If Eriksson Ek can’t play, Hynes said they were still determining whether Danila Yurov or Haight would play in his place and how the rest of the lineup would shake out. Nick Foligno can play center, so they could also put winger Bobby Brink in the lineup. Yurov wasn’t bagged, but he did stay on the ice extra to work alone with assistant coach Dwyer. Asked if he’s amazed that Eriksson Ek and Brodin have been injured at the worst time yet again, Hynes said, “Ever since I’ve been, that’s been (the thing). There’s a potential of (Eriksson Ek not playing). I’m not saying it’s for sure. As I said, Brodes isn’t gonna be ready for Game 1. Ekky, I’m not sure, but you have to find a way to win with the players that are in the lineup. And that’s truly what it’s about. Injuries are part of the game, and that’s why you have good players and depth and the structure and mindset, and if they’re not available, then we’ve got to find a way to win.” Marcus Foligno said the Wild will just have to find a way to adjust. “We’ve got guys who understand what is needed,” the veteran winger said. “The style of play that the Minnesota Wild have to play. We’ve got guys that can fill in and do the job. We’re hoping that we’re not too far out with those guys, but it is one of those things that you’ve gotta understand, that is how we have to play as a team. It doesn’t matter who’s in that situation, you’ve just gotta do the job, get it done and be a smart player. “We’ve got guys, too, that can come in. Yury can come back in. We have a lot of center depth. It may not be as pretty as Colorado’s, but we’ve got guys that know how to play that grind of a game. I really like our guys.” Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms