Wild’s John Hynes says there’s a ‘chance’ Joel Eriksson Ek plays in Game 3 appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Minnesota Wild are in a tough spot right now, trailing two games to none against the division rival Colorado Avalanche after taking a beating in Games 1 and 2 in Denver. They’re now limping home with no choice but to pick up a victory in Game 3 in order to avoid falling into a nearly insurmountable hole.
The Wild haven’t been aided by the fact that they’re missing a key forward in Joel Eriksson Ek.
However, ahead of Saturday evening’s Game 3, Wild coach John Hynes offered a glimmer of hope for fans, hinting that there was a chance that Eriksson Ek could return to the lineup, according to Wild insider Joe Smith.
“Asked during his KFAN1003 appearance whether there’s a chance Joel Eriksson Ek plays Saturday or at some point during the series, John Hynes said, ‘There’s always a chance,’” Smith wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Eriksson Ek has yet to appear in the series, though he recorded three goals and two assists during the Wild’s six-game opening-round playoff matchup against the Dallas Stars. Brodin also remains sidelined after playing the first five games against Dallas before missing Game 6 with a lower-body injury. He has contributed one assist in the playoffs so far this postseason.
The Wild, who finished third overall in the Central Division, defeated the Dallas Stars in six games during the Western Conference Quarterfinal in what most fans and insiders viewed as an upset, considering the Stanley Cup aspirations for the 50-win Stars.
However, the Wild have run into a completely different opponent in the Avalanche, who have yet to lose a single game so far in the postseason following their opening-round sweep over the Los Angeles Kings.
Game 3 between the Wild and Avalanche will begin just past 9:00 p.m. ET from Grand Casino Arena on Saturday evening.
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