Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov, Jared Spurgeon could return Thursday vs. Utah

The Minnesota Wild could get a big boost for their next game.

Coach John Hynes, per Michael Russo of The Athletic, told reporters he is “cautiously optimistic” that star forward Kirill Kaprizov and captain/defenceman Jared Spurgeon will return from injury Thursday against the Utah Hockey Club.

Spurgeon suffered an apparent leg injury when he was slew-footed by Nashville’s Zachary L’Heureux on Dec. 31.

Kaprizov hasn’t played since suffering a lower-body injury on Dec. 23. He has been on long-term injured reserve.

Despite missing 13 games, Kaprizov is the Wild’s scoring leader with 23 goals and 27 assists for 50 points in 34 games. He has played in the NHL All-Star Game the past three years.

The Wild have done a good job playing through several key injuries as they sit second in the Central Division.