Marcus Johansson excited to be back in Wild lineup

Marcus Johansson sat out more games than he's played in his first season with the Wild since coming over in an offseason trade from Buffalo.

But the veteran forward is rejoining the action at a meaningful time, with the Wild looking to recalibrate at home this week after a rocky road trip to Colorado.

"Playing hockey is why we're all here, so I'm very happy to be back," Johansson said. "It's been a little frustrating, but it's part of the game I guess. I'm really excited to be back."

Johansson returned to the lineup Monday against the Ducks at Xcel Energy Center after he was sidelined for 16 games because of an upper-body injury. Before that, he was in the COVID protocols and missed two other games due to injury.

Overall, Johansson suited up just 11 times before Monday — a stop-and-go debut in Minnesota after being acquired in a trade for Eric Staal.

"It obviously doesn't help, that's for sure," Johansson said about the effect the injuries have had on his transition to a new team. "I feel like I got into this group quickly. It's such a good group of guys, and it's a tight group. That wasn't an issue right away. You're obviously missing out and not being with the guys is not fun. But that's what makes it even more exciting to get back."

Johansson filled out a line with Ryan Hartman and Kevin Fiala in his first game since Feb. 18, also vs. Anaheim, and coach Dean Evason is expecting Johansson to bring pace to the Wild's play.

"He didn't have likely the start that he wanted, but we've seen some real good hockey from him," Evason said. "Coming here, new teammates, new surroundings, everything's new, he clearly wanted to get off to a real good start. But he's played a lot of games in this league. He knows what it takes to be successful."

This might be one of the most bizarre weeks on the Wild's calendar this season.

The game Monday against the Ducks was earlier than normal, with puck drop at 6:30 p.m., and the rematch Wednesday will be in the afternoon at 4:30 p.m.

Then, after facing the Blues for the first time this season Thursday at Xcel Energy Center, the Wild will have three days off before it plays next — the longest lull in the schedule the rest of the regular season.

"It's going to be a little different going forward here," Evason said. "We'll get some rest at the end of the week, but we'll worry about that when we get to it."

Usually a healthy scratch, defenseman Brad Hunt is getting regular reps — skating in a third straight game Monday for just the second time this season.

Hunt initially drew into the lineup last Thursday when Carson Soucy had to serve a one-game suspension for charging. Now, Hunt is sticking on the blue line in the absence of Matt Dumba, who remains out with a lower-body injury suffered in Colorado.

"I am not Matt," Hunt said. "Obviously, he's such a great player. I want to do my best to try to fill the shoes that he left open. But at the same time, it's going to be a group effort. He's such a well-respected guy in the dressing room and a lot of people look up to him. We just want to do our best as a group to fill the shoes."

All five Minnesota Division I men's hockey teams are NCAA tournament bound, including Hunt's alma mater Bemidji State.

"So happy," Hunt said. "Bemidji's such a special place for both myself and my family. I obviously met my wife there. It's always a place that we'll call home.

"I can tell you I wouldn't be here right now if it wasn't for [coach] Tom [Serratore]. He's a very special person to myself, my family. And like I said, I wouldn't be here without him. He taught me so much not only about hockey but just about life."