LAS VEGAS — As the injury report has become more relevant than the line chart for Minnesota Wild games these days, one can’t help but think of Tevye, the peasant farmer who is the main character in the iconic musical “Fiddler On The Roof.”
Exasperated by all of the challenges thrown his way, Tevye looks to the heavens at one point and asks the Almighty, “I know, I know. We are your chosen people. But, once in a while, can’t you choose someone else?”
There are hopes that Wild superstar Kirill Kaprizov can return to the lineup this week after missing the past nine games with a groin injury. His recent absence comes with the team also missing injured defensemen Brock Faber, Jonas Brodin and Jared Spurgeon, all of whom the Wild hope to see back on the ice sometime this month.
But if you’re expecting self-pity from those healthy enough to fill out the roster, especially following a missed opportunity like Sunday’s come-from-ahead road loss to the Golden Knights, you’re not going to get it from this bunch. To a man, they seem to be looking forward, not back.
“You’re going to go through different stages of adversity through the season. We’re obviously in the middle of it right now,” said veteran Zach Bogosian after logging 21 minutes on the ice Sunday.
Bogosian assisted on the only goal, but also took a pair of third period penalties.
“We’ve just got to continue to get through this and make sure guys are trying to rise to the occasion and accept that challenge; be men about it,” he said. “And then when we get those other guys back in the lineup … it will be huge for our team.”
The Wild didn’t linger anywhere near the bright lights of the Strip in Las Vegas, hopping on a plane and returning to Minnesota within hours of the final horn on Sunday. They also didn’t lament their second loss to the Knights — a team they could certainly see again come playoff time — especially after having a lead and being tied in the third period.
“I think the effort is there,” Wild goalie Filip Gustavsson said. “The whole team is just really fighting to win the game, and Vegas is one of the top teams in the league, and if you’re missing some of your best players, it’s gonna be tougher and we knew the challenge. We’re there, 2-1 with 5 minutes left, or 4 minutes or something. If we score one, you never know.”
Fourth-line forwards Ben Jones and Drew Shore were sent through waivers Monday, which gives the Wild some flexibility in terms of player movement, and may be a sign that forwards like Kaprizov and Jakub Lauko could be back on the ice as soon as Wednesday when the team hosts Edmonton. Until then, the NHL’s top road team got some rest at home, preparing to roll with what they have no matter what the roster looks like.
“We’ll get back and have a couple days before we play again, which is always good, regroup a little bit and get back at it,” coach John Hynes said after the Wild split a pair of road games in San Jose and Vegas. “It was a good road trip, 1-1. We wanted a great road trip, but we couldn’t find a way to get it done.”
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