Joel Eriksson Ek Set to Go for Wild-Avalanche Game 5

Joel Eriksson Ek’s availability for Game 5 gives Minnesota exactly the kind of news coaches love and opponents hate. In the playoffs, one healthy middle-six anchor can change how a team handles matchups, draws, and all the little ugly details that decide a series. The Wild know this is not the time for wishful thinking, and the Avalanche know an opponent with reinforcements is a different problem. When a key player is confirmed, it changes the whole temperature of the night.