If you’re a Minnesota Wild fan, tonight’s game with the Blues had added nausea for you. Not only did the Wild lose their pre-season bout 5-0 but backup goalie Josh Harding left the game after a collision with Blues forward Brad Boyes.
Harding was playing in his first game since having surgery to repair a torn hip labrum during the off-season. Boyes was checked into Harding by Wild defenseman Greg Zanon and fell backwards. Harding gestured towards his hip before being helped off the ice. It’s being reported that Harding’s injury is to his knee.
While Harding isn’t the starter in Minnesota, he’s one of the more capable backups in the NHL and providing Wild start Nicklas Backstrom with relief is important for the Wild to make sure he doesn’t end up exhausted. Prospect Anton Khudobin would likely step up to be the team’s next backup goalie should Harding be out for an extended amount of time.
(Photo: Dilip Vashwanat - Getty Images)