Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek won't play in the first two games of the second round due to a lower-body injury, head coach John Hynes said Sunday, according to The Athletic's Michael Russo.
Hynes added that the team is hopeful Eriksson Ek can return for Game 3 against the Colorado Avalanche. Minnesota is still deciding whether to play Danila Yurov or Hunter Haight in his place.
Eriksson Ek didn't travel to Colorado with the team. He left Game 6 of the opening round after falling into the boards. Defenseman Jonas Brodin also remained in Minnesota and won't play in the first two contests after missing Game 6 with a lower-body ailment of his own.
"They're important players in our lineup, but you just can't cry over it," Wild president of hockey operations and general manager Bill Guerin said. "You just have to be prepared, be ready. Be ready with the guys that are able to play, and when those guys come back, they come back. But this is life. This is hockey. Injuries happen, and that's why you have depth."
Eriksson Ek was a key contributor in Minnesota's first-round triumph over the Dallas Stars, posting three goals and two assists in six games.
Game 1 between the Wild and Avalanche kicks off Sunday at 9 p.m. ET.
