Wild's Kaprizov out 3-4 weeks with lower-body injury

Minnesota Wild star Kirill Kaprizov is expected to miss three-to-four weeks with a lower-body injury, the team announced Thursday.

Kaprizov exited Wednesday's clash against the Winnipeg Jets after getting tangled up with defenseman Logan Stanley in the third period.

Kirill Kaprizov heads to the locker room after Logan Stanley falls on him. pic.twitter.com/UcjofxGpKW

- Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 9, 2023

The 6-foot-7 rearguard barged into Kaprizov while the winger had the puck and appeared to put his full weight on him as the pair went down to the ice. Kaprizov's legs split awkwardly.

Stanley called the incident an "unfortunate play," according to Sportsnet's Ken Wiebe.

"He stopped and I tried to finish my check on him, and he just went down," Stanley said. "I just fell on top (of) him. ... I wasn't expecting him to go down."

Kaprizov assisted on Ryan Hartman's eventual game-winning tally in the middle frame and recorded almost 15 minutes of ice time during the Wild's 4-2 win.

The 25-year-old leads Minnesota with 39 goals and 74 points in 65 contests while pacing all Wild forwards in average ice time (21:06).

The Wild recalled forward Sammy Walker from the AHL shortly after announcing Kaprizov's injury. Walker last played for Minnesota on Dec. 29 and has one goal in six NHL games this season.

He leads the Iowa Wild with 24 goals and 44 assists in 50 contests in 2022-23.

Heading into Thursday's slate, Minnesota was second in the Central Division with a record of 37-21-7. The Wild are tied with the Stars with 81 points, but Dallas has one game in hand.

The Wild are riding an 11-game point streak. They'll square off against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.

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