Danila Yurov’s opportunity has arrived.
Yurov is slated to join the top line for the Minnesota Wild when they take the ice against the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night in St. Paul, Minn.
The highly touted 21-year-old forward has two goals and one assist in 15 games in his rookie season. The Russian was promoted to the top line alongside Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello in part because of his recent performance and in part because injuries have created a void to fill.
Wild coach John Hynes said the key is for Yurov to play his typical game and not try to be someone else when he plays alongside Kaprizov and Zuccarello. He has watched Yurov’s development since the Wild selected him in the first round (No. 24 overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft.
“It’s more playing his game that gives him a chance to be successful but not get caught up in trying to force plays to those guys,” Hynes said. “If the play’s there, make it. Or if they start wheeling around, we do need somebody on the inside of the ice.”
The Wild will go for their third straight victory after posting wins against the Anaheim Ducks and Vegas Golden Knights. They are 3-0-1 with one game remaining on a five-game homestand.
The Hurricanes also will try to maintain their successful play as of late. They are coming off a 3-1 win over the Boston Bruins on Monday, which marked their second win in the past three games. They are 6-1-1 over their past eight contests.
Carolina also could get reinforcements before Wednesday’s game. Injured defenseman Jalen Chatfield returned to practice on Tuesday after sitting out since Nov. 6 because of an upper-body injury.
Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said he was not 100% certain whether Chatfield would return against the Wild, but he said everything looked good.
“Obviously, it means he’s closer,” Brind’Amour said. “It’s going to be his call, so we’ll see. He’s been out for a little while, but I think if he’s not in (Wednesday), I’m sure it will be on this road trip at some point.”
Minnesota is dealing with its own rash of injuries.
Ryan Hartman left the team’s most recent game because of a lower-body injury, and the team said he will be week-to-week. Forwards Marco Rossi (lower body) and Nico Sturm (back) remain out, which is part of the season that Yurov was elevated to the top line.
“Every day, I’m learning new things, new hockey skills, and I’m getting better every day,” Yurov said. “Just do (the) right things, focus on team work, team goals, and play as (a) team.”
The Wild likely will turn to Filip Gustavsson in net. He is 5-7-2 with a 2.99 goals-against average and an .897 save percentage this season. Gustavsson is 4-2-0 with a 1.84 GAA and a .938 save percentage in six career games against the Hurricanes.
Carolina’s top netminder is Frederik Andersen, who is 5-4-1 with a 3.10 GAA and an .886 save percentage this season. He is 8-6-0 with a 2.47 GAA and a .912 save percentage in 14 career games against Minnesota.
