If the Minnesota Wild can stay alive in the postseason long enough, it might be a team featuring goalie Josh Harding back in the net.
Per Pro Hockey Talk, head coach Mike Yeo told reporters today that Harding remains an “extreme long-shot” to play in Minnesota’s second-round series against the Chicago Blackhawks, but he didn’t rule out a possible return.
While Yeo said it’s unlikely Harding will play against Chicago, beat writer Michael Russo told one fan on Twitter something else. Was it a tongue-in-cheek response or serious?
This is the Wild. Very good chance RT @djack7819: @russostrib What are chances Harding could be available in the series ?
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) May 2, 2014
Harding was arguably Minnesota’s MVP over the first half of the season, but he hasn’t played since Dec. 31 after undergoing changes to treatment for his multiple sclerosis.
Before the setback, Harding posted an 18-7-2 record with a 1.66 goals-against average and .933 save percentage. Even though he missed the second half of the season, he played enough games to qualify as the league leader in goals-against average and save percentage.
Meanwhile, Ilya Bryzgalov will start Game 1 tonight in Chicago. John Curry will be the backup and Darcy Kuemper will be back home in Minnesota. Kuemper suffered an undisclosed injury late in Minnesota’s Game 7 win over Colorado.
Russo’s best guess is that Kuemper had a relapse from the concussion he suffered late in the regular season.
