Hat trick of groin injuries has Wild in world of hurt

DENVER - Instead of a curtain separating the Pepsi Center's visitors' locker room from the training room, the Wild needed a revolving door Saturday.

In fact, there just might be a shortage of ice and bandages in Denver now.

Besides the normal wear and tear to several players who required treatment, three of the Wild's most significant players were sharing two medical tables Saturday -- right winger Marian Gaborik, goaltender Niklas Backstrom and left winger Pavol Demitra.

All three have groin injuries and will miss today's matinee with the Colorado Avalanche, quite a blow to a Wild team that's off to a 7-1-2 start.

"Having them out of the lineup, it's a big part of our hockey team, there's no question," leading goal scorer Brian Rolston said. "But guys have stepped their games up this year. I think we'll be able to hold the fort just fine."

Added linemate Eric Belanger, "There'll be 20 guys dressed [today] and we expect to win."

The groin injuries to Gaborik, Backstrom and Demitra -- who has already missed two games -- are considered minor, General Manager Doug Risebrough said.

But Gaborik's clearly a concern. When the words "groin" and "Gaborik" go together, fear is struck into every Wild fan.

Gaborik, who has had a history of abdominal issues, most recently missed 17 games because of two injuries in 2005-06 and last season was "day-to-day" for three months and 34 games because of a strained groin.

"I know my body well. Nobody can feel what I feel, really," said Gaborik, who has gotten off to a slow start with one goal and seven assists in 10 games. "Definitely, I'm not going to miss 40 games or whatever. It's a day-to-day situation. You've got to be confident, and that's what I am and that's what I need to be."

Gaborik, who said his legs have felt tired the past two games, tried to practice Saturday morning, but 15 minutes in, he skated to coach Jacques Lemaire and asked to leave. Wild doctors will examine Gaborik on Monday.

"He's not comfortable with his legs right now," Risebrough said. "I talked to him and I made the decision he's not going to play because I don't want it to progress to a point where we're missing lots of games."

Because of Gaborik's history, Risebrough will not permit him to play until he feels 100 percent. Last season, Gaborik was injured Oct. 20 and didn't return until Jan. 6. He scored 26 goals and 50 points in 41 games after his return.

"It had benefits last year when we said, 'We're going to miss a chunk of games, whatever it is, to get him back in the lineup,'" Risebrough said. "I feel being conservative again is going to be a positive."

Backstrom, who is 5-1-1 with a 1.98 goals-against average and .923 save percentage, pulled his groin while sliding in Saturday's practice. He said he won't be out long. Last season he sustained a groin injury in practice and only missed one game.

"It's a precautionary thing, especially with goalies," Risebrough said. "Could he back up? Probably, but I'm not going to put him in a backup position."

The Wild recalled Nolan Schaefer from AHL Houston. Josh Harding, 2-0-1 with a 1.62 goals-against average and .951 save percentage, will start today.

"You've got to take the opportunity when one's given to you," Harding said.

As for Demitra, he skated to test his groin before practice Saturday and remains day-to-day. The injury must be contagious. After all, center Dominic Moore will miss his ninth game today because of an abdominal strain.

The injuries come at the start of a busy stretch; the Wild plays five games in the next nine days.

"Bad timing. Bad timing," Lemaire said. "You get injuries, but very bad timing. We'll see who's capable of playing [today].

"What can you do? Nothing we can do."

Rookie Cal Clutterbuck, 19, will make his NHL debut today in Gaborik's place.

It didn't take Clutterbuck long to figure out he'd be playing. When Gaborik left practice, he did the math and realized he was the only extra forward.

"I thought I was going back to Houston after Edmonton," Clutterbuck said. "Then they told me I was going home after Denver. It feels like I'm on a reality show. I could get voted off any day.

"I'm going to try to keep it as normal as possible so I don't deviate from what I normally do."

Michael Russo • mrusso@startribune.com