The Minnesota Wild will be missing their star winger, Kirill Kaprizov, on Thursday night due to a lower-body injury he picked up against the Chicago Blackhawks. The injury occurred when Kaprizov was checked by Blackhawks forward Ryan Donato.
Although Kaprizov participated fully in Thursday morning’s practice, his absence is a precautionary measure. In his place, in-season acquisition Quinn Hughes will don the alternate captain’s "A."
Kaprizov’s absence is a significant blow for the Wild. He's been a powerhouse on the ice, notching an assist and leading the team with six shots on goal in their recent overtime victory against the Blackhawks, despite the injury.
With 38 goals and 80 points in 69 games, Kaprizov is the Wild's top scorer. Until now, he was one of just four Wild players, alongside Brock Faber, Yakov Trenin, and Jared Spurgeon, to play in every game this season.
His streak ends Thursday, adding to the challenge of also replacing injured center Joel Eriksson Ek.
Stepping in for Kaprizov is centerman Hunter Haight, who will make his return to the NHL ice after a brief stint in January. Haight, who has yet to register a point in five NHL games and holds a minus-four rating, has been more productive in the AHL with 23 points in 43 games.
He’s expected to take on a bottom-line role, while Bobby Brink will join Matt Boldy and Danila Yurov on the top line. Brink, who has one goal in three games since being acquired at the Trade Deadline, is back from an injury that sidelined him for nine days.
This is a big opportunity for Brink to prove himself and secure a spot in the top-nine, even when Kaprizov returns. Minnesota will be counting on his speed and scoring ability to help fill the void left by their star winger.