The scoring punch the Minnesota Wild have been sorely lacking made a timely and triumphant appearance following the long-awaited return of vital forwards Joel Eriksson Ek and Kirill Kaprizov from their long-term injuries.

In their long-awaited returns, Eriksson Ek and Kaprizov reminded everyone just what the Wild have been missing these past several weeks.

Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek weren’t supposed to carry the Wild in their return to action after being sidelined because of injuries — Eriksson Ek missing six weeks and Kaprizov out even longer.

The Minnesota Wild on Wednesday activated forwards Joel Eriksson Ek and Kirill Kaprizov from injured reserve and long-term IR, respectively.

Joel Eriksson Ek scored a career-high four goals in his return from a lower-body injury, Kirill Kaprizov had his second of the game in overtime in his first game back and the Minnesota Wild outlasted the San Jose Sharks 8-7 on Wednesday night.

Obviously it changes the dynamic of your lines and you have to move some things around,” Wild coach John Hynes said.

Joel Eriksson Ek scored a career-high four goals in his return from a lower-body injury, and Kirill Kaprizov had his second of the game in overtime in his first game back as the Wild outlasted the Sharks 8-7 on Wednesday night.

Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek returned to the Minnesota Wild lineup Wednesday night — just in time for a fight to hold onto the team's playoff spot in the regular season's final week. Why it matters: The Wild have endured more injuries to high-impact players than almost any other NHL franchise this season,

The ice at Xcel Energy Center was decorated with hats Wednesday night as Joel Eriksson Ek and Kirill Kaprizov returned from injuries to power the Minnesota Wild in an explosive offensive showing (and horrible defensive showing) and an 8-7 win overtime over the San Jose Sharks.