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Latest Update on Yet Another Injured MN Wild Defenseman
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- Latest Update on Yet Another Injured MN Wild Defenseman
Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
It's crunch time for the Minnesota Wild . They currently own a 41-29-7 record and have 89 points. That puts the in fifth place among the NHL Central Division, and they currently hold the second wild card spot in the West.
With five games left their four-game losing streak is certainly not ideal. They have been walking wounded all season, and are still without top skaters Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek .
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Their loss to the New York Islanders , who are just 33-32-10 , was compounded by losing defenseman Jake Middleton . John Hynes was livid, as was general manager Bill Guerin , with the call resulting in just a minor penalty, but the greater concern is obviously for Middleton's health.
Jake Middleton causes another absence for Minnesota Wild
Minnesota got on the board first with a Mats Zuccarello goal in the second period. They lose the lead not long after by allowing a pair of Islanders goals. They also lost Jake Middleton when center Bo Horvat pushed him from behind.
Horvat, Middleton incident. pic.twitter.com/vNb4GhMlE4
— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) April 5, 2025
Horvat doesn't have a reputation for being a dirty player. The push wasn't exactly aggressive either. However, it caused Middleton to lose his skates and he went head first into the boards. The MN Wild defenseman tried to brace for impact as he put his arms up to the boards. Immediately crumpling to the ice, Horvat checked on his opponent before calling for trainers.
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Middleton did skate off the ice under his own power, but this injury was always going to be of the upper body nature. The Wild will put Middleton through additional tests on Saturday according to The Athletic's Michael Russo . They are back home on Sunday against the Dallas Stars .
It's not real fair to speculate, and of course no NHL team is going to put out a specific injury update. However, the way in which Middleton went into the boards it's hard not to be worried about his collarbone, shoulders, or arms.
Minnesota can't afford to lose any more members of Hynes' regular rotation. Acquired defenseman David Jiricek would have already been a candidate to be recalled from Iowa, but he lacerated his spleen during the first game back in the AHL.
Final stretch gets tougher for MN Wild
Minnesota is currently two points behind St. Louis (91 points) for the top wild card spot. The Calgary Flames are just five shy of the Wild with 84 points, and they have a pair of games in hand. That's where things get dicey.
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The Wild follow up Sunday's home contest with one at The X on Wednesday against San Jose. They then head to Canada on Friday for a contest against Calgary. That game will have massive implications. A final back-to-back on Saturday against Vancouver ends their road slate. They finish the regular season at home against Anaheim on April 15th.
Related: When Will Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek Return to MN Wild? We Still Don't Know…
Hynes needs his squad to pick up at least three wins over the final stretch if they are going to avoid getting bumped from the playoffs. It has been a trying season thanks to the amount of injuries, but it would be a disappointing falloff to see them fade here.
Middleton experiencing an extended absence would only make things worse for the Wild. They'll once again need to rally within the locker room and get hard together in order to keep the season going.
