The banged-up Minnesota Wild are still winning

Joel Eriksson Ek has two goals and three assists since returning from injury after Christmas. Photo: Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images The Minnesota Wild open the second half of their season Thursday banged up, but winning anyway. The big picture: Despite a revolving door of injuries to key players in December, Minnesota kept pace with the league's best. • The Wild have won six of their last seven games, and would tie Winnipeg for the division lead with a victory Thursday. Yes, but: Top scorer Kirill Kaprizov is still hurt, and on Tuesday, Brock Faber became the latest casualty in a beat-up defensive core. • At least captain Jared Spurgeon avoided a season-ending injury after this hit, but he'll still be out a few weeks. What's next: Colorado at the X at 7pm Thursday, followed by a tricky back-to-back against San Jose and Vegas this weekend.