Minnesota Wild: Keys For the Stretch Run

Feb 10, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets defenceman Mark Stuart (5) challenges Minnesota Wild forward Justin Fontaine (14) as he controls the puck during the third period at MTS Centre. Winnipeg wins 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

Replacing the Injured

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As Nick wrote about the other day, both Jason Zucker and Ryan Carter were injured in the Wild’s victory over the Canucks on Monday. Carter is expected to miss a month, while Zucker is out for three meaning his season is over. While Carter was playing well, I feel like he plays the type of game that can be duplicated by a combination of Justin Fontaine, Brett Sutter and Stu Bickel. They are not identical players by any means but Carter’s role was more of an effort, grind it out player than someone expected to produce a pile of points.

Zucker’s production will be much harder to replicate. He is second on the team with 18 goals to this point in the season. For a team that struggles to put the puck in the net at times, this could prove to be a big loss for the next couple of months. Fontaine was a goal scorer in college at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and he had a big goal and an assist in last year’s Stanley Cup Playoff. He will have to make some more big plays this year to help the Wild’s offense stay afloat.

Next: Special Teams