Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Gets on scoresheet with helper
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Eriksson Ek registered an assist, four shots on goal and two PIM in Saturday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Golden Knights in Game 4.
Eriksson Ek helped out on Jared Spurgeon's game-tying goal in the third period. The 28-year-old Eriksson Ek hasn't enjoyed the scoring bounty of linemates Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy -- the helper was Eriksson Ek's first point this postseason. The center has added a plus-3 rating, four PIM, 17 shots on net, seven hits and eight blocked shots while seeing top-line minutes, so he's in a good position to succeed.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Forces overtime Tuesday
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Eriksson Ek scored a goal on six shots, doled out four hits and added two PIM in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime win over the Ducks.
The Wild just needed to get to overtime to make the playoffs, but it wasn't looking good until Eriksson Ek scored with 22 seconds left in regulation. It's his fifth goal in four games since returning from a lower-body injury. The center finishes with 14 goals, 29 points, 140 shots on net, 82 hits, 36 blocked shots and a plus-9 rating over 46 regular-season outings. He's set to play a top-six role in the playoffs.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Tallies four goals in dream return
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Eriksson Ek scored four goals on eight shots, added four hits and went plus-2 in Wednesday's 8-7 overtime win over the Sharks.
Eriksson Ek returned from a 21-game absence due to a lower-body injury, and he showed up in about the biggest way possible. Prior to the injury, he had scored just nine goals in 42 outings this season. He had two goals in each of the second and third periods, and two of the tallies came on the power play. The center is up to 28 points (10 on the power play), 131 shots on net, 73 hits, 31 blocked shots and a plus-7 rating through 43 contests. Eriksson Ek will fill a top-six role and see power-play time, so fantasy managers shouldn't hesitate to activate him.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Ready to return
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Eriksson Ek (lower body) is off injured reserve, per the NHL media site, which sets the stage for his return Wednesday versus San Jose.
Eriksson Ek has nine goals and 24 points in 42 appearances with the Wild in 2024-25. He was last in the lineup Feb. 22. Eriksson Ek is projected to play alongside Marcus Foligno and Matt Boldy in his return. The 28-year-old Eriksson Ek should also see time on the second power-play unit.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Hopes to return Wednesday
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Head coach John Hynes said that he's "hopeful" that Eriksson Ek (lower body) will be able to return Wednesday against the Sharks, Jessi Pierce of NHL.com reports.
Eriksson Ek has been sidelined since late February after sustaining a lower-body injury during practice, but he's been skating in recent weeks and has a chance to return to game action Wednesday. Over 42 appearances this season, he's recorded nine goals, 15 assists, 69 hits, 31 blocked shots and 20 PIM while averaging 19:38 of ice time.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Skates Thursday, still week-to-week
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Eriksson Ek (lower body) skated before Thursday's game-day practice but remains week-to-week, per Jessi Pierce of NHL.com.
Eriksson Ek's return to the lineup is not imminent, but he will probably accompany the Wild on the team's three-game road trip, which begins Monday versus New Jersey. He will miss his 16th consecutive game against Washington on Thursday. Eriksson Ek has compiled nine goals, 24 points, 123 shots on net, 31 blocked shots and 69 hits in 42 appearances this campaign.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Injury labeled lower body
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Eriksson Ek is week-to-week with a lower-body injury, the club announced Tuesday.
After landing on injured reserve Tuesday following an injury at Monday's practice, Eriksson Ek's timeline is now clearer. The 28-year-old will be replaced in the lineup against the Red Wings by Jakub Lauko (lower body), who was activated from injured reserve Tuesday. Eriksson Ek has contributed nine goals and 24 points across 42 appearances this season.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Lands on IR
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Eriksson Ek suffered an undisclosed injury at practice Monday and was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.
According to Russo, Eriksson Ek is expected to be out longer than the mandatory seven days from his IR designation, though the Wild have yet to provide an update on his status. With the 28-year-old center out of action, Minnesota is expected to activate Jakub Lauko (lower body) ahead of Tuesday's clash with Detroit.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Clutch goal at 4 Nations Face Off
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Eriksson Ek scored a goal Thursday in a 4-3 overtime loss to Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Eriksson Ek roofed the puck into the net after settled a cross-crease pass from Jesper Bratt around the midpoint of the third period. It tied the game and forced overtime. He came into the contest on a four-game point drought. Eriksson Ek's production this year has been held back by injury -- he has just nine goals and 14 assists in 41 games, a far cry from his two 60-plus point campaigns in 2022-23 and 2023-24.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Won't play Saturday
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Eriksson Ek (lower body) won't play Saturday versus the Islanders, per Michael Russo of The Athletic.
Eriksson Ek has nine goals and 23 points in 41 appearances in 2024-25. The Wild will dress seven defensemen due to Eriksson Ek's absence, so Travis Dermott or Jon Merrill will draw back into the lineup. Eriksson Ek's status for the 4 Nations Face-Off is currently unclear.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Helps out on power play
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Eriksson Ek notched a power-play assist and three shots on goal in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Maple Leafs.
Eriksson Ek has a point in three straight contests (two goals, one assist). The 28-year-old center's increase in productivity has come with a move to the top line. He hasn't been able to replicate his numbers from the last two years, but he has nine goals, 14 helpers, 101 shots on net, 60 hits and a plus-8 rating over 37 appearances. Eriksson Ek should continue to offer supporting offense and a physical edge for fantasy.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Tallies on power play Sunday
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Eriksson Ek scored a power-play goal on four shots in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Blackhawks.
Eriksson Ek has scored in back-to-back games and looks to be turning things around on offense. The 27-year-old center has also played on the top line over the last two contests, which should help his production while seeing time alongside Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello. Eriksson Ek has nine goals, 22 points (seven on the power play), 98 shots on net, 59 hits and a plus-8 rating over 36 outings.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Buries goal in loss
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Eriksson Ek scored a goal, doled out three hits and added two PIM in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Flames.
Eriksson Ek moved up to the top line following Thursday's shutout loss to Utah. It worked for the center -- he ended a seven-game goal drought, during which he had just two assists despite taking 23 shots on net. The 27-year-old is up to eight goals, 21 points, 94 shots on net, 58 hits and a plus-8 rating over 35 appearances this season. He's poised to miss the 60-point mark for the first time in three years, and while injuries have been part of the problem, Eriksson Ek is also shooting 8.5 percent in 2024-25, his lowest mark since 2019-20.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Helps out on power play
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Eriksson Ek registered a power-play assist and four shots on goal in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Oilers.
Eriksson Ek set up Matt Boldy for the opening goal just 3:02 into the contest. The 27-year-old Eriksson Ek had been held off the scoresheet over the previous three games. He remains in a second-line role, which has led to a bit less consistency on offense as injuries pile up around the Wild's lineup. He's also on the first power-play unit, where he's earned six of his 19 points this season. The center also has 81 shots on net, 54 hits and a plus-11 rating over 31 appearances.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Nets goal vs. St. Louis
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Eriksson Ek scored a goal in Tuesday's 6-4 win over the Blues.
Eriksson Ek found the twine in the second period to reduce the Blues' lead to one goal, and his tally would end up sparking a third-period comeback where Minnesota scored three unanswered goals. Eriksson Ek has notched seven goals and 11 assists this season.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Tallies on power play
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Eriksson Ek scored a power-play goal on five shots and added four PIM in Saturday's 4-0 win over the Hurricanes.
Eriksson Ek has four points over his last three games after being held off the scoresheet Dec. 29 in his return from a lower-body injury. The 27-year-old center has played on the second line since his return, as Marco Rossi is holding down the first-line job. Eriksson Ek has six goals, 11 assists, 68 shots on net, 42 hits and a plus-10 rating through 26 appearances. He'll likely miss the 60-point mark for the first time in three years due to time lost to injuries, but Eriksson Ek remains a good source of points, power-play production and hits.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Two apples in win
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Eriksson Ek had two assists Tuesday in a 5-3 win over Nashville.
Both came on the power play. Eriksson Ek had missed most of December with a lower-body injury, and this was his second game back. Prior to the injury, Eriksson Ek had really struggled. He had just one goal and six assists in 14 November games, and he hasn't notched a goal since Nov. 1. However, Eriksson Ek's vision was on full display Tuesday, especially on Mats Zuccarello's goal -- he held the puck and saucered a pass to the far post for the driving winger to tap in. Get him back in if he's still on your bench.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Removed from IR
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Eriksson Ek (lower body) was activated from injured reserve Sunday, per the NHL media site.
Eriksson Ek will probably occupy a top-six role and see power-play time versus Ottawa on Sunday after missing the last 11 games. He has accounted for five goals, 13 points, 55 shots on net, 12 blocked shots and 38 hits across 22 appearances this season.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Could return Sunday
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Eriksson Ek (lower body) could return to action Sunday versus Ottawa, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.
Eriksson Ek wanted to get in one full practice to see how he was feeling afterward, so a decision should be made ahead of Sunday's game. If Eriksson Ek is unable to go, he could return Tuesday versus Nashville. Eriksson Ek has five goals and eight assists in 22 games this season. He could return to the top line, where he has spent most of the season when healthy.
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Wild's Joel Eriksson Ek: Not on road trip Friday
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Eriksson Ek (lower body) continues to practice with the Wild but will not be in the lineup in Dallas on Friday, according to Joe Smith of The Athletic.
Eriksson Ek will miss his 11th consecutive game. He has five goals and 13 points with 55 shots on goal in 22 games this season. There is no timeline for his return.
