SPORTS

Wild Missing Two Key Players For Opening Games

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Denver — The Minnesota Wild will be without center Joel Eriksson Ek and defenseman Jonas Brodin for the first two games of their second-round series at Ball Arena after both were held out with lower-body injuries. Neither player made the trip to Denver ahead of Game 1 on Sunday, and coach John Hynes said he had not finalized the lineup. Denver also listed Colorado defenseman Josh Manson as unavailable after he suffered an upper-body injury in the series-clinching game against the Los Angeles Kings, and coach Jared Bednar said Nick Blankenburg would slide into Manson’s spot. The teams play Game 2 on Tuesday and return to St. Paul for Game 3 on Saturday night, giving a limited recovery window for injured players.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

Wild defeated the Dallas Stars in a six-game first-round series, advancing to Round 2.
Colorado clinched its prior series; Josh Manson sustained an upper-body injury in the clincher.
Colorado previously acquired Nick Blankenburg on March 4 and selected him to replace Manson.
Minnesota announced Joel Eriksson Ek and Jonas Brodin would not travel to Denver for Games 1 and 2.
Game 1 took place Sunday in Denver, Game 2 followed Tuesday, and Game 3 is scheduled Saturday night in St. Paul.

Why This Matters to You

The Wild's lineup changes could affect their performance in the upcoming games. If you're a fan, it's worth keeping an eye on how the team adapts. For those who enjoy sports betting, these injuries might influence your decisions.

The Bottom Line

Injuries are part of the game and teams must adjust. The Wild and the Avalanche are both missing key players for the next few games. It's a test of their depth and adaptability. Worth forwarding if you know someone who loves the thrill of hockey.