In a concerning turn of events for the Minnesota Wild, team captain Jared Spurgeon is set to undergo an MRI following a “cheap hit” that left him with a significant leg injury during Tuesday night’s game against the Nashville Predators. The incident occurred in the second period when Spurgeon was slew-footed by Predators rookie Zachary L’Heureux, resulting in a hard crash into the boards that raised immediate alarms for the Wild.
Spurgeon, 35, was helped off the ice after the collision, unable to put any weight on his right leg. The injury comes at a challenging time for the Wild, who are already missing key players, including star forward Kirill Kaprizov and defenseman Jake Middleton. This latest setback adds to Spurgeon’s history of injuries, as he has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career, having played a full 82-game season only once in his 15 years in the NHL.
Following the incident, L’Heureux received a match penalty for his actions. Head coach John Hynes condemned the hit as undisciplined and expressed hope that the league would review the play. Hynes stated, “When you have a player do what he did, it gives us life,” referring to the power play opportunity that followed Spurgeon’s injury. The Wild capitalized on this chance, scoring three power-play goals en route to a 5-3 victory over Nashville.
L’Heureux’s aggressive style has drawn criticism throughout his career, with a history of suspensions during his time in junior hockey and the AHL. He is expected to face disciplinary action from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety following this incident.
As Spurgeon awaits results from his MRI, fans and teammates are hopeful for positive news regarding his condition. The Wild’s next games will be crucial as they navigate this injury-riddled stretch of their season. With Spurgeon’s leadership and defensive skills vital to their success, how the team adapts without him could significantly impact their playoff aspirations.
As updates on Spurgeon’s health emerge, all eyes will be on both him and L’Heureux in the coming days. The Wild are scheduled to face off against the Vancouver Canucks next, hoping to maintain their momentum despite these challenges.
