CHICAGO — Erik Haula replaced injured right wing Justin Fontaine for the Minnesota Wild on Sunday night against the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Coach Mike Yeo says Haula’s speed and some of his past performances against the Blackhawks were the main factors. Haula had three goals and two assists in last year’s playoff series against Chicago.
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Sunday night’s game was Haula’s first appearance of this post-season. He had seven goals and seven assists in 72 games in the regular season this year.
Fontaine sustained a lower-body injury in Minnesota’s 4-3 loss in Game 1 on Friday night. He had been playing on Minnesota’s fourth line with Kyle Brodziak and Matt Cooke.
The timeline for Fontaine’s return is unclear.
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