ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) 鈥� The have managed to hold together a highly competitive team all season despite a series of injuries that have sidelined several of their most important players.
Their lineup got a big boost on Thursday when star Kirill Kaprizov and captain Jared Spurgeon were activated from injured reserve before their game against Utah.
鈥淭hey had a long road to get back and put in a lot of hard work, so it鈥檚 nice that they鈥檙e getting an opportunity to play,鈥� coach John Hynes said after the team's morning skate.
Still missing were defenseman Jonas Brodin (lower body) for the seventh straight game and left wing Marcus Johansson (concussion) for the third game in a row.
Kaprizov last played on Dec. 23 against Chicago. He missed 12 games with a lower-body injury that lingered longer than the Wild initially believed it would, taking a cautious midseason approach to the return of their leading scorer and first line left wing.
Kaprizov was among the leaders in goals and points and legitimately in the mix of MVP candidates before he was hurt. He has 23 goals and 27 assists in 34 games. He still ranks 11th in the league in goals despite the absence.
鈥淚 just try don鈥檛 think about this. Now I am just happy to come back,鈥� Kaprizov said. "I don鈥檛 play one month. I don鈥檛 think about points or something like that. I just want to feel good in the game.鈥�
His biggest challenge might be learning how to take it easy when he needs to between games, a workhorse skater who frequently stays on the ice well past the end of practice.
鈥淗e鈥檚 got to do what he needs to do to get himself ready and prepared, but then as the season goes on sometimes you need to maybe tweak some of those things like that,鈥� Hynes said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 not necessarily my department. It鈥檚 him with the trainers and the strength coach and things like that. Nothing major, just make sure he鈥檚 feeling good and prepared to play but also making sure that he鈥檚 managing himself.鈥�
Spurgeon missed nine games with a lower-body injury that he said Thursday included his ankle and knee. The 15th-year veteran defenseman was by a slew foot move that got Nashville forward Zachary L鈥橦eureux a three-game suspension.
In his first interview since the injury, Spurgeon declined to comment specifically about the play. After being limited to 16 games last season because of hip and back injuries, Spurgeon was healthy and thriving until this latest setback.
鈥淭hat was the most frustrating part, just having to go back in the gym and doing the same stuff all over again. It brings back some bad memories,鈥� Spurgeon said.
Spurgeon and the Wild were pleasantly surprised by the relatively brief absence after his awkward and frightening crash into the boards caused them to immediately fear a season-ending injury.
鈥淗is work ethic was unbelievable. I thought he might鈥檝e been back like a week earlier just watching him off the ice and in the gym with the work he put in,鈥� Hynes said, adding: 鈥淎ll those leadership things that he brings are great to have and missed when he鈥檚 not in the lineup, then obviously what he brings on the ice, the way that he can play and what he means to our team in those situations. It鈥檚 great to have him back.鈥�
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AP NHL:
Dave Campbell, The Associated Press
