Star forward’s controversial play leaves Wild winger iced.

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ST. PAUL – It seems like the injury bug just won’t leave the Minnesota Wild alone, with Marcus Johansson becoming the latest to join the list of sidelined players. With just a few seconds left in the second period, Johansson, a reliable veteran who’s skated in 44 of the team’s 45 games this season, found himself on the receiving end of a not-so-friendly encounter.

The play unfolded in the defensive zone where Oilers’ star Connor McDavid appeared to stretch out his elbow, catching Johansson. The 34-year-old, known for his 6-foot-1 frame and versatility on the ice, hit the deck hard, losing his helmet in the process.

Despite what seemed like a deliberate move by McDavid, the refs chose to keep the whistle silent, much to the chagrin of Wild head coach John Hynes. Hynes sought clarification from referee Dan O’Rourke but left empty-handed, lacking any explanation.

Not to be left out of the loop, Wild players Mats Zuccarello and Joel Eriksson Ek ventured over to the officials, hoping to understand the no-call decision from referee Chris Lee. However, their efforts didn’t change the outcome on the ice as well.

Johansson clocked in just over ten minutes of ice time but didn’t return for the final period. As the team braces for the next games, they have to hope their injury woes will soon come to an end. It’s tough to see a vital piece of the team’s lineup get sidelined, especially during a season where consistency in the lineup could be a game-changer.

The Wild now faces a pivotal moment, needing to rally around their teammates and perhaps dig deeper into their roster as they continue their campaign. Keep an eye on how the lineup adjustments unfold in the coming days – the Wild will need every ounce of resilience they can muster to keep their season aspirations alive.