Yurov, who turns 22 this month, was injured last week in the Wild’s win in Chicago but played against Colorado and Buffalo last weekend. He did not skate during the team’s Monday morning practice before they boarded a plane for the Oilers’ home rink.
Minnesota coach John Hynes did not provide details on the nature of the injury but classified Yurov as day-to-day. With normal top center Marco Rossi injured, Yurov played center on Minnesota’s top line, between Mats Zuccarello and Kirill Kaprizov. The rookie scored three goals and four assists in his first 21 NHL games.
The Wild have extra forwards like Hunter Haight and Ben Jones, both of whom missed the Buffalo game, who could play against Edmonton.
Veteran consistency wanted
On Black Friday, Ryan Hartman made an emphatic return from a lower-body upset that had sidelined him for the previous four games. Facing the high-flying Avalanche, Hartman made a highlight reel on Minnesota’s second goal, sending a wraparound pass into the slot in front of the Colorado net, where Kaprizov knocked the ball home.
A night later, during a shootout loss to Buffalo, Hartman was noticeably quieter, managing just one shot on goal in over 17 minutes of ice time. Hynes admitted the veteran’s hot and cold streaks were a problem.
“I think he had a good first game there. I just want to see consistency,” Hynes said. “Be an impact every night with your ability to play offense, be strong in the faceoff circle, skate and move his feet, have an edge in his game, lead with physicality and net foreplay. I think when he does those things, he’s very effective.”
Hartman scored four goals and four assists in 22 games this season.
Wallstedt is just having fun
Wild rookie goaltender Jesper Wallstedt largely brushed aside the criticism he received for celebrating his shootout victory against the Avalanche, reminding that hockey and victory are meant to be enjoyed.
Wallstedt celebrated with his signature archer-style move after stopping Colorado stars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar in the shootout that gave the Wild a 4-3 victory the day after Thanksgiving. It was a “bit much” in the social media words of Avalanche radio man Conor McGahey, who criticized Wallstedt for celebrating “like he won the Stanley Cup.”
Wallstedt didn’t really want to get into a war of words with a Central Division rival, but still noted that it was all in good fun.
“I thought that was ridiculous. Hockey is supposed to be fun. I think everyone should enjoy it,” said Wallstedt, who improved to 7-0-2 with the win over Colorado.
Wallstedt noted the brutal start to the season he had a year ago playing for the Iowa Wild, and said if people like McGahey understood what he had been through to get to this point, they might understand his celebration a little better.
“And if I wore a purple jersey instead of a Wild jersey, I think he might enjoy it more,” Wallstedt said. “It was weird. We’re having fun. We (celebrated) in front of our own fans. They liked it. Hockey can be boring too, but I prefer to make it fun.”
Hynes said Wallstedt will get the start against the Oilers on Tuesday.
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