What Happened
Minnesota Wild forward Nico Sturm was taken to a hospital for precautionary evaluation after being struck in the head by a puck during Monday night's game against the Vegas Golden Knights. Sturm was hit on the right side of his helmet by a first-period slap shot from teammate Jared Spurgeon, then dropped to the ice and was helped off by center Michael McCarron. Coach John Hynes said he had no update on Sturm's condition but that Sturm was not likely to travel for Tuesday's game at Winnipeg.
Key Details
- Sturm was hit on the right side of his helmet by a Jared Spurgeon slap shot in the first period.
- He dropped to the ice, was tended to by team medical staff, and slowly skated off with assistance.
- The Wild won the game 4-2 over Vegas.
- Hynes said Sturm was not likely to travel with the team to Winnipeg for Tuesday's game.
- Defenseman Brock Faber is out indefinitely with a skull fracture from a preseason puck to the head.
- Faber visited the team Monday and attended the game; Hynes said he is making good progress.
What It Means
The injury leaves the Wild shorthanded at forward, where Sturm had been filling in on the fourth line with Marcus Foligno and Nick Foligno already sidelined by unspecified injuries. Minnesota is also without Faber and backup goalie Filip Gustavsson, who is recovering from offseason hip surgery. Despite the absences, the Wild have opened the season 4-1-1.
What's Next
Sturm's availability for Tuesday's game at Winnipeg is in doubt, and the team may need to recall a forward. Faber is scheduled for another medical evaluation soon, according to Hynes.