Quinn Hughes Battles Illness, Expected to Play in Game 1
The Minnesota Wild are holding their breath regarding star defenseman Quinn Hughes, who has been dealing with an illness. Head coach John Hynes initially anticipated Hughes would travel with the team to Dallas, but a change of plans has him flying in separately on Friday to be available for Saturday evening’s Game 1 against the Dallas Stars.
Hynes explained the decision to delay Hughes’ travel, stating, “Originally he was gonna fly with the team, but I just think with the illness, I think more rest for him and just not have him on the plane (made sense). So he’s en route to Dallas today. Our expectation is for him to play.”
Hughes’ Recent Performance and Impact
Since arriving from the Vancouver Canucks in a mid-December trade, Hughes has been a game-changer for the Wild. He hasn’t stepped on the ice since logging nearly 30 minutes in a loss against the Nashville Predators last Saturday. Despite the illness, the team remains optimistic about his availability for the crucial playoff opener.
Hughes’ impact on the Wild’s offense has been undeniable. In just 48 games, he recorded five goals and a remarkable 53 points, setting a new single-season team record for points by a defenseman. His 48 assists also represent a franchise record for defensemen. He reached the 50-point milestone in a mere 43 games, the fastest in Wild franchise history.
Across 74 games this season, Hughes tallied 76 points, ranking fifth among all NHL defensemen. His 69 assists were second-best in the league. He also led the NHL in average ice time per game, playing an impressive 27:44.
A Needed Break?
Hynes believes this brief respite could be beneficial for Hughes, even amidst his illness. “I think mentally and physically, this little break is probably really good even though he’s under the weather and not feeling well. But I just think, mentally, sometimes just getting away from it is good, but our expectation is he’ll be ready to go (Saturday).”
Other Wild Playoff News
In addition to the Hughes update, Hynes announced that rookie goaltender Jesper Wallstedt will get the start in Game 1, replacing veteran Filip Gustavsson. Defenseman Zach Bogosian is also expected to return to the lineup after recovering from a lower-body injury, having been sidelined since April 4th.
The Wild face a tough challenge against the Dallas Stars, but with Hughes expected to play and key players returning from injury, they’ll be looking to make a strong playoff push. For more in-depth coverage of the Minnesota Wild and the NHL, check out The Athletic.
