By Jordan Long
The Minnesota Wild are 26-22-5 with a total of 57 points and are currently the 1st Wild Card team in the Western Conference. Their postseason hopes may have taken a hit. They will be without their captain and forward Mikko Koivu who will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL and meniscus. The injury occurred on Tuesday when he collided with Buffalo Sabers forward Tage Thompson in the 1st period. He never returned and the Wild lost the game 5-4 in a shootout.
Koivu was having one of his worst years in the NHL. He scored 8 goals which is his lowest total since 2006, his rookie year when he had 6. Koivu was still able to use his speed to skate around the defenseman. Those were scoring chances for his team. When he wasn’t in position for a shot on goal, Koivu found his teammates for them to put the puck in the back of the net. This season he had 21 assists.
Koivu ’s strength was the power play. He set up in front of the goaltenders for tip-ins. If he couldn’t score a goal, Koivu passed it to a teammate for a one-timer. He ends with 2 power play goals and 10 power play assists.
The Wild are going to miss Koivu’s play. He is one of their top forwards. His speed allows him to carry the puck into the offensive zone. Those create shots on goals which might end up with the puck in the back of the net, adding to the Wild’s lead. If he can’t score, a teammate may be there for a rebound for a goal.
The Wild know they will have to keep their play up without him in the lineup. The pressure is now on Zach Parise, Eric Staal, and Mikael Granlund to continue their strong play. It will be up to them to keep scoring and help this team win. If they start to struggle, that might be the difference in Minnesota making the playoffs or missing out altogether. Koivu’s injury could be the turning point of the season if they miss the postseason. a
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