ST. PAUL, Minn. — Kirill Kaprizov is expected to return to the Minnesota Wild lineup Sunday evening against the Columbus Blue Jackets, providing an important measure of relief for coach John Hynes as his injury-depleted team prepares for one of its most demanding stretches of the young NHL season.
Kaprizov missed Saturday's practice because of an illness, while star defenseman Quinn Hughes was given a maintenance day. Hynes indicated both players should be available against Columbus, although their participation remained subject to final game-day decisions.
The developments were encouraging for a Minnesota team that has opened the season 5-2-1 despite losing several important players to injuries. The Wild have collected 11 of a possible 16 standings points, winning three of their last four games while relying heavily on Kaprizov, Hughes and forward Matt Boldy.
Minnesota did not play Friday or Saturday, and there has been no new game result since Thursday's 5-4 victory over St. Louis. Saturday's practice nevertheless produced meaningful personnel developments, including the return of two injured veterans to team drills and encouraging progress involving another forward.
Captain Jared Spurgeon and Marcus Foligno participated in Saturday's practice, although Hynes said neither was expected to play against Columbus. Nico Sturm, who has been sidelined following a head injury, is scheduled for a concussion protocol evaluation Monday that could help determine when he might return.
Nick Foligno has resumed skating independently but has not returned to full team practices. Defenseman Olli Maatta remains unavailable, while Brock Faber continues recovering from the fractured skull he suffered during the preseason.
The combination has forced Hynes to reorganize his defensive pairings and rely on younger players who ordinarily would be competing for limited NHL opportunities.
For now, Minnesota's most important players have prevented those injuries from derailing an otherwise promising opening month.
Kaprizov, Hughes carrying enormous responsibility
Kaprizov has been exceptional through eight games, scoring nine goals and adding five assists for 14 points. His production includes 11 points during a five-game scoring streak, establishing him among the NHL's most dangerous offensive players during the opening weeks.
The Russian superstar left Thursday's victory over St. Louis late in the third period after being knocked down by Blues goaltender Joel Hofer behind the net. Kaprizov subsequently went to the dressing room, creating immediate concern about another potential injury.
Hynes indicated afterward that Kaprizov was OK. Saturday's absence from practice was attributed to illness rather than the collision, and the coach expects his leading scorer to play Sunday.
Hughes has been equally important, particularly with Faber unavailable.
The former Vancouver defenseman has two goals and 10 assists through eight games, recording at least one point in every contest. His ability to control the puck, generate offense from the blue line and direct Minnesota's transition game has become central to the team's identity.
Hughes also has absorbed a substantial workload because of Minnesota's defensive injuries. His anticipated availability Sunday should help stabilize a blue line that has undergone frequent personnel changes.
The projected defensive pairings against Columbus have Hughes alongside Jonas Brodin, with Daemon Hunt paired with Zach Bogosian and Matt Kiersted skating with David Spacek.
Those combinations remain subject to change, but they illustrate how extensively injuries have affected Minnesota's defensive depth.
Boldy's emergence gives Wild another offensive weapon
Boldy has provided the Wild with another elite offensive presence, particularly during the past week.
The former Boston College standout recorded his fifth career NHL hat trick Thursday against St. Louis, adding an assist in Minnesota's 5-4 victory. His four-point performance helped the Wild overcome an early deficit and establish a three-goal lead before surviving a late Blues comeback.
Boldy scored twice in the second period, completing his hat trick with 3:13 remaining in the period. Kaprizov contributed a goal and two assists, while Hughes and Joel Eriksson Ek each recorded two assists.
Danila Yurov also scored for Minnesota, and goaltender Jesper Wallstedt made 21 saves.
The Wild outshot St. Louis 39-26 but allowed two goals during the final four minutes, including a shorthanded goal by Robert Thomas. Dylan Holloway scored with 15 seconds remaining, reducing Minnesota's lead to one goal before the Wild secured the victory.
That finish illustrated one of the team's continuing concerns.
Minnesota has enough offensive talent to build substantial leads, but protecting those advantages requires greater defensive consistency. Injuries have complicated that responsibility, particularly when younger defensemen are asked to handle difficult assignments against established NHL scorers.
Wallstedt has provided stability while Filip Gustavsson remains sidelined with a lower-body injury. The young Swedish goaltender is projected to start again Sunday, with Calvin Pickard available as the backup.
Columbus arrives after overtime victory
The Blue Jackets enter Sunday's game 3-3-0 following a 1-0 overtime victory over the New York Rangers on Saturday.
Kent Johnson scored the winning goal with 1:34 remaining in overtime, while goaltender Jet Greaves stopped all 29 shots he faced for the shutout.
Columbus will be playing on consecutive nights, while Minnesota has enjoyed two days without a game. That scheduling advantage could become important against an opponent that played a tight, low-scoring contest Saturday.
The Blue Jackets possess considerable offensive talent, including Adam Fantilli, Johnson, Sean Monahan and defenseman Zach Werenski. Former Minnesota forward Charlie Coyle also is part of the Columbus lineup, adding another familiar name to Sunday's matchup.
The Wild will need to account for Columbus' offensive depth without allowing the game to become an exchange of scoring opportunities.
Minnesota's projected top line features Kaprizov, Eriksson Ek and Boldy, a combination capable of controlling possession and creating offense against virtually any opponent.
Hynes also has been using Blake Coleman, Ryan Hartman and Bobby Brink together, with Yurov centering Yakov Trenin and Maxim Shabanov.
The challenge is generating consistent production beyond the team's leading scorers.
Kaprizov, Boldy and Hughes have accounted for much of Minnesota's offensive success. The Wild will need more contributions throughout the lineup as the schedule becomes increasingly demanding.
Five consecutive road games await
Sunday's matchup represents Minnesota's final home appearance before a five-game trip beginning Tuesday at Edmonton.
The Wild then visit Calgary on Thursday, Seattle on Saturday, Vancouver on Sunday and Utah the following Tuesday before returning home Oct. 29 against the New York Islanders.
The trip includes consecutive games in Seattle and Vancouver, placing additional demands on a roster already dealing with injuries.
Edmonton presents an especially difficult opening assignment. The Oilers possess one of the NHL's most dangerous offensive attacks, led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and will test Minnesota's ability to defend against elite speed and creativity.
The Wild's immediate priority, however, is Columbus.
A victory Sunday would improve Minnesota to 6-2-1 and provide additional momentum before the road trip. More importantly, it would give Hynes another opportunity to evaluate his team's defensive structure and supporting players against a competitive opponent.
Minnesota has demonstrated considerable resilience through eight games. Its leading players have produced at an exceptional level, Wallstedt has handled additional responsibility and younger players have helped compensate for the absence of established veterans.
But the injuries have also exposed how quickly the team's depth can become vulnerable.
The encouraging news is that Kaprizov and Hughes are expected to play Sunday, while Spurgeon, Marcus Foligno and Sturm appear to be making progress toward returning.
The Wild have survived the opening weeks with a winning record and an offense capable of overwhelming opponents. The next challenge is maintaining that success through an extended road trip while gradually restoring the health of a roster that has rarely been close to full strength.
Wild upcoming schedule
All times Central.
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, Oct. 18 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Home | 5 p.m. |
| Tuesday, Oct. 20 | Edmonton Oilers | Away | 8 p.m. |
| Thursday, Oct. 22 | Calgary Flames | Away | 8 p.m. |
| Saturday, Oct. 24 | Seattle Kraken | Away | 9 p.m. |
| Sunday, Oct. 25 | Vancouver Canucks | Away | 9 p.m. |
| Tuesday, Oct. 27 | Utah Mammoth | Away | 8 p.m. |
| Thursday, Oct. 29 | New York Islanders | Home | 7 p.m. |
Sunday's game against Columbus also will serve as Minnesota's Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Night at Grand Casino Arena. The organization will recognize cancer patients, survivors and families while supporting cancer research and community organizations.
The Wild will return home Oct. 29 after completing their five-game road trip, which includes their first consecutive-night road assignment of the season.