Minnesota Wild: Zucker and Carter on the IR

Last night’s win against the Vancouver Canucks proved to be very costly. The Wild lost Jason Zucker and Ryan Carter to upper-body injuries. Both players were placed on injured reserve.  

Michael Russo, Startribune – The Wild lost Zucker and Carter to upper-body injuries in the first period.

“We should not expect them back in the lineup in the near future,” coach Mike Yeo ominously said after the Wild’s sixth consecutive regulation win pulled the now 9th-place team (8-1-1 in its past 10 overall) within three points of a playoff spot and six points of Winnipeg heading into Tuesday’s game in northern Minnesota (Manitoba).

I’m told Carter was in a sling after the game and personally it looked to me that Zucker also sustained a shoulder injury. The Wild’s 18-goal scorer (17 even-strength goals) got jolted pretty good chasing a loose puck along the wall by defenseman Luca Sbisa. A few minutes before, Carter crashed hard into the boards after being checked by defenseman Yannick Weber.

The Wild had to use 10 forwards for 50-plus minutes tonight and did look like they started to get gassed late in the game. Jason Pominville credited coach Mike Yeo for helping navigate a convoluted bench as Yeo had to mix and match forward lines all night.

Losing Jason Zucker could prove costly for the Wild.  Zucker's 18 goals makes him the second leading goal scorer for the Minnesota Wild.