NHL Buzz: Zuccarello week-to-week for Wild after surgery for lower-body injury

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Minnesota Wild

Mats Zuccarello was placed on injured reserve on Friday and has continued to undergo week-to-week surgery for a lower-body injury suffered during a 3-0 win against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.

Zuccarello left the game at 12:52 of the first period after being hit in the middle by a shot from teammate Brock Faber.

“I’m not sure (how long Zuccarello will be out),” coach John Hynes said Friday. “I would probably say maybe three to four weeks.”

Striker Joel Eriksson Ek also suffered a lower-body injury on Thursday, which is being taken into account on a day-to-day basis.

Defenseman Jonas Brodin, who was out Thursday due to an upper-body injury suffered during a 2-1 overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday, is also a daily presence.

The Wild (11-2-3), who are second in the Central Division, host the Dallas Stars (10-5-0) on Saturday (8 p.m. ET; FDSNWI, FDSNNO, Victory+).

“Neither of them are ruled out for (Saturday),” Hynes said of Eriksson Ek and Brodin. “But right now they’re really day to day.”

Hynes said the Wild will likely recall a forward from Iowa of the American Hockey League before Saturday’s game. –Jessi Pierce

Buffalo sabers

Tage Thompson and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen could both return from lower-body injuries when the Sabers play at the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday.

Thompson skated alone for practice Friday. He left during the second period of a 7-5 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Monday and did not play in a 4-3 win against the St. Louis Blues on Thursday.

“He’s just not ready to play yet,” coach Lindy Ruff said. “I think we would look at Wednesday.”

Luukkonen was a full participant in training on Friday, after not dressing for the match on Thursday.

“I feel like we’re just trying to be smart about it right now,” Ruff said.

Neither player will be in the lineup when the Sabers play at the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; NBCSP, MSG-B).

“We just feel like where the schedule is, why push him when we have four or five days left,” Ruff said.

Buffalo could also be without Jordan Greenway against Philadelphia. The left forward practiced early Friday because of what Ruff called a “nagging ailment” that Greenway was playing through.

“Today he was so upset that he had to leave the ice,” Ruff said.

The Sabers could recall a forward from Rochester of the American Hockey League if Greenway can’t play. — Heather Angel

Pittsburgh penguins

Matt Nieto will play his first NHL game in almost a year when the Penguins play at the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday (7 p.m. ET; FDSNOH, SN-PIT, NHLN, SNP, SNO, SNE).

The 32-year-old forward suffered an injury to his left knee on November 30, 2023, and underwent reconstructive surgery on the medial collateral ligament in May.

“Obviously very excited,” Nieto said Friday after the Penguins morning skate. “It’s been a long year, but I’m excited to get back out there and competing with the boys.”

Nieto scored one goal in two games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the American Hockey League before being recalled Thursday.

“I couldn’t be happier,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “He’s been through a lot to get himself back into this position. He’s just a great teammate. He’s a popular kid in our room. He brings juice when he plays. He’s fast. He’s tenacious. He’s a very good penalty killer.”

“It’s remarkable that he has to go through what he’s been through, multiple surgeries and all the rehabilitation he’s had to go through to get to this point, and we’re all very happy for him.” –Craig Merz