The Minnesota Wild are getting a much-needed boost just when they need it most. Star center Joel Eriksson Ek took a step closer to returning to the ice, practicing with the team on a limited basis Friday. Head coach John Hynes confirmed that the two-way standout has a chance to suit up for Game 3 of the second-round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche.

This is the first time Eriksson Ek has skated since suffering a lower-body injury on April 30. The injury happened when he slid into the boards during the final game of Minnesota's first-round series against Dallas. Despite the hard hit, he managed to finish that game. But his absence has been deeply felt. At 6-foot-3 and 207 pounds, Eriksson Ek brings a rugged net-front presence and elite defensive instincts that the Wild have sorely missed. In the first two games of this series, Minnesota has surrendered 14 goals, falling into a 2-0 hole against a high-powered Avalanche offense.

"I thought he looked good out there, so that was certainly encouraging," Hynes said. "We had the plan for him to go out and skate before practice, and then do some stuff in the practice, so we'll see where it goes from there."

Even limited participation from the 10-year veteran has lifted the team's spirits. Forward Nick Foligno summed up what Eriksson Ek means to the locker room. "Nothing really rattles him. He has a joke where he says, 'What is tired?' He doesn't even know what that word means, so I just love guys like that," Foligno said. "You need those guys. They're the engines of our team, and obviously we're thrilled to get him back."

While Eriksson Ek's return is promising, the Wild are still dealing with significant absences. Defenseman Jonas Brodin has not yet begun skating due to a lower-body injury sustained on April 28 during Game 5 of the first-round series win over the Stars. Hynes confirmed Brodin will not play in Game 3 on Saturday. On a brighter note, right wing Mats Zuccarello missed practice Friday due to illness but is expected to be ready for Saturday's matchup. Defenseman Zach Bogosian, who sat out Game 2 in Denver with a lower-body injury, could also return.

On the other side, the Avalanche may soon welcome back physical defenseman Josh Manson, who has been sidelined with an upper-body injury since Game 3 of the first round against the Los Angeles Kings.

With the series shifting back to Minnesota, the Wild are hoping that getting key players back—especially a warrior like Eriksson Ek—can help turn the tide.