The Minnesota Wild received a big boost for their critical Game 3 against the Dallas Stars as forwards Joel Eriksson Ek and Ryan Hartman, as well as defenceman John Klingberg, returned from injuries.
Eriksson Ek — the team's most-important centre — suffered a lower-body injury on April 6 and at the time was considered week-to-week. He had 61 points in 78 games this season and contributed heavily to both special teams.
Hartman scored the double-overtime game-winner in Game 1 but was clearly labouring with an injury during that game and missed Game 2 with a lower-body injury.
Klingberg was one of the Wild's big trade deadline acquisitions but has yet to play in the series after being injured in practice last weekend.
The Wild will start Filip Gustavsson in net for Game 3. Gustavsson made 51 saves to get the win in Game 1 but was replaced in Game 2 by Marc-Andre Fleury, a move head coach Dean Evason had said was always planned.
