Minnesota Wild forward Nino Niederreiter may soon be out of action again this season.
Niederreiter left the Wild's game on Friday night against the Florida Panthers with a suspected lower-body injury. The Wild's Dan Myers speculates that the injury happened during the first period, where Niederreiter blocked a shot.
He wouldn't return for the following two periods. Minnesota dropped the contest 4-2 and has lost three of its last four games.
Following his team's loss, head coach Bruce Boudreau didn't provide an update on Niederreiter's status but indications show that the injury may be more significant. The 25-year-old was walking around postgame wearing a walking boot, according to The Athletic's Michael Russo.
Niederreiter missed six games at the beginning of the season due to a high-ankle sprain and the injury resulted in a stint on the team's Injured Reserve.
No update on Nino Niederreiter. Bruce Boudreau said if he’s out the #MNWild will go with what they’ve got. In other words Zack Mitchell will be back in.
— Dane Mizutani (@DaneMizutani) December 23, 2017
It's unlikely that Niederreiter will dress for Minnesota's game on Dec. 23 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. With a bit of help from the schedule, the Wild have a three-day break before they resume their schedule on Dec. 27.