Minnesota Wild winger Mats Zuccarello underwent surgery Thursday night following the team's game against the Montreal Canadiens, coach John Hynes said Friday.
Zuccarello left in the first period after he was hit in the groin area by a point shot from defenceman and teammate Brock Faber.
The incident happened with just over seven minutes remaining in the opening period. Zuccarello immediately doubled over in pain after being hit and was helped off the ice and to the team's locker room. He played just 3:15 before exiting and did not return.
Hynes said Zuccarello required surgery for the lower-body injury he sustained and will be placed on injured reserve for three to four weeks as a result.
The 37-year-old had appeared in all 16 Wild games this season, recording six goals and 14 points.
Centre Joel Eriksson Ek was also hurt in the first period of Thursday's game but has seemingly avoided a serious injury. It was unclear when the 27-year-old suffered his injury, but he was seen wincing on the bench following his final shift.
The Swede has five goals and eight points in 13 games this season. He missed two games in October after undergoing surgery on a broken nose.
Hynes said Friday that Eriksson Ek and defenceman Jonas Brodin, who missed the game against the Canadiens, are considered day-to-day.
According to Hynes, Eriksson Ek and Brodin have yet to be ruled out for Saturday's game against the Dallas Stars, but the team still plans on calling up a forward.
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