Injury Updates: Wild, Nikishin, Hoglander

There’s a rare three-day break in the Colorado-Minnesota series and with the Wild down a couple of games and a trio of veterans, they’re probably quite content to have the extra time.  Head coach John Hynes told reporters today including Joe Smith of The Athletic (Twitter link) that they’re optimistic that defenseman Zach Bogosian will be able to return on Saturday from the lower-body injury that caused him to miss Tuesday’s contest.  The news isn’t quite as good for Joel Eriksson Ek, however.  Hynes relayed that the center has yet to skate since sustaining a lower-body injury of his own.  However, it appears they’d be willing to put him in the lineup without a practice if he’s cleared to resume skating which hasn’t happened yet.  Minnesota could certainly use Eriksson Ek back as they look to get back into the series.

Other injury news from around the NHL:

• The Hurricanes welcomed back a key part of their back end tonight against Philadelphia with the team announcing (Twitter link) that Alexander Nikishin was returning to the lineup. The rookie sustained a concussion in the final game of their opening-round series versus Ottawa and missed the first two games of this round.  Nikishin had 11 goals and 22 assists in 81 games during the regular season while averaging over 18 minutes per night.
• Canucks winger Nils Hoglander was expected to play for Sweden at the upcoming World Championship. However, that’s no longer the case as their federation announced (Twitter link) that Hoglander is withdrawing from the roster due to injury and will be replaced by Red Wings winger Lucas Raymond.  Injuries were the theme of the year for Hoglander, who was limited to just 38 games.  He struggled considerably in those outings, notching just two goals and three assists and was undoubtedly hoping to use this tournament as a springboard to his offseason.  Meanwhile, Raymond’s addition is a big one for the Swedes.  He surpassed the 70-point mark for the third straight year, notching 25 goals and 51 assists in 80 games.