Game #77: Minnesota Wild vs Los Angeles Kings, Wednesday March 31, 2010 at 7:00pm (CDT), Xcel Energy Center [GAME PREVIEW]

Wild fans should be counting their lucky stars that the Los Angeles Kings, whom they beat on Monday night, waited until yesterday to play recalled Jonathan Bernier.  Seems he was recalled sometime on Monday, which means that the fate that befell Nashville could have easily happened to us.  I can’t express how nice it is to see a minor league goaltender do damage to another team that isn’t the Wild.  Not only did the Kings win, but Bernier earned his first NHL shutout.

Speaking of people making their NHL debuts, it seems that was a distinct possibility for Elk River, MN-native, Nate Prosser on Monday night.  According to reports, Monday morning the recently signed college free-agent was told that he would participate and dress for the pre-game warm-ups.  At that time, the Wild were unsure if Marek Zidlicky was going to be able to play due to some sort of arm injury.  While Prosser didn’t see the ice during the game, he’s getting that much closer.  While head coach Todd Richards says Prosser still has plenty of growing and learning to do, it does speak volumes that they’re ready and willing to play Prosser over recalling a defenseman from Houston.  Considering the fact that the Wild have lost 300-man games to injury, it seems it’s only a matter of time before Prosser gets his debut, even though he was only slated to practice with the Wild this season, not play.

And speaking of those 300-man games lost to injury, it appears that number is only going to continue to grow.  If you haven’t already heard, goaltender Anton Khudobin has been recalled from Houston yet again.  It appears that Josh Harding’s most recent injury is bad enough to essentially sideline him for the rest of the season.  The torn labrum that he is currently suffering from, I would guess is not a new injury, and is in fact that same hip injury that his plagued him several times during the season.  Harding is meeting with doctors and specialists to determine the next steps.  Of course those next steps do not include any more games this season and most likely include surgery.  Also gone, is waiver acquisition, Andrew Ebbett.  During Monday’s game, Ebbett blocked a shot by Los Angeles’ Anze Kopitar.  As soon has Ebbett took his glove off, it was determined to send him down the tunnel to get immediate First Aid.  It seems the finger is so severely broken, that in order to keep it immobilized, Ebbett has his entire arm in a sling.  There stands a good chance that Ebbett too will go under the knife.  Joining Harding in hip surgery will be Clayton Stoner.  It appears the first surgery he underwent last month wasn’t successful.  He is in the process of re-evaluation by medical professionals.  Makes you wonder if Vail, CO-based hip specialist, Marc Phillipon, offers a buy one hip surgery, get the next one half-off.  Perhaps the Wild can save even more money by having Harding and Stoner share a room.

With all the injuries there is the possibility of some of the Wild’s walking-wounded returning.  There is a possibility that defenseman Shane Hnidy will return tonight, who’s been out with a hamstring injury.  Richards also seems to think that Chuck Kobasew will be back on the ice at some point of the remainder of the season.  While out for tonight, Cam Barker is expected to return for the Wild’s upcoming three-game road trip.  While it’s nice to know that these players will most likely be back, you still worry about their stamina at this point.  The last thing you want is injured people still playing.  Playing injured often results in even more serious injuries.

Seems Cam Barker is a bit upset that he’s unable to play tonight against his former team.  If it would make him feel any better someone should alert him to the fact that Kim Johnsson, the person he was traded for, is also out of the lineup for Chicago tonight.