There has been plenty of discussion about the Minnesota Wild and that team’s fall from first place in the Central Division.
The chances of winning the division have already gone out the window, but the Wild have clinched home ice in the first round of the playoffs, thanks to a 5-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday.
After giving up three goals on six shots in the first period, Devan Dubnyk regrouped, stopping all 24 shots he faced after that.
But the win may have come at a price.
Jared Spurgeon, who is tied with Ryan Suter for the team lead in points among defensemen, left the game early in the second period and didn’t return because of a lower-body injury.
That said, it appears this situation isn’t as bad as it may have seemed initially.
Wild coach Bruce Boudreau told reporters afterward that he doesn’t believe the injury is serious and Spurgeon will travel with the team tomorrow. Minnesota finishes out its schedule on the road, facing the Avalanche on Thursday and the Coyotes on Saturday.