The Minnesota Wild announced that defenseman Jared Spurgeon is sidelined at least four weeks with a hamstring injury.

NEWS: Jared Spurgeon is expected to miss a minimum of four weeks due to a partial tear of his right hamstring suffered in last night's #mnwild game vs. Colorado. pic.twitter.com/l8obxTIwvO

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) March 14, 2018

Jared Spurgeon Injured

Less than four minutes into the third period of Tuesday’s game against the Colorado Avalanche, Spurgeon appeared to lose an edge in the corner of the Wild’s defensive end and went into the boards as his legs split apart. He struggled to get to his feet and was down on the ice until he was eventually helped off.

So far this season, he scored nine goals and 28 assists for 37 points. He also added eight minutes in penalties. His possession numbers were 50.0 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of 4.2.

Over his eight-year NHL career, Spurgeon has played only for the Minnesota Wild. He has put up 56 goals and 149 assists for 205 career points in 509 career games. He was originally drafted in the sixth round, 156th overall of the 2008 NHL draft by the New York Islanders.

“That’s gross,” said goalie Devan Dubnyk when he talked to the media after the game. “ … I hoped he was going to get up right away. He kind of turned around and looked like he was going to get up. He was really flexible, but that was not nice. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that he’s all right or at least minor, but it looked like it hurt.”

What This Means for the Future

The injury comes at a bad time as the Wild as trying to fight off the Dallas Stars and the Avalanche for one of third and final automatic playoff spot in the Central Division. Minnesota could have gotten some separation if it won on Tuesday.

The Wild will likely call up Ryan Murphy from AHL Iowa or move Jonas Brodin from left to right defence. Spurgeon’s injury will test the defensive depth of Minnesota at a critical time in the season.

Main Photo: Minnesota Wild Defenceman Jared Spurgeon (46) follows the play during a NHL game between the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche on November 24, 2017 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN.The Wild defeated the Avalanche 3-2 in a shootout. (Photo by Icon Sportswire / Getty Images)