Kirill Kaprizov to miss another month as Wild's playoff chances teeter

• Five losses in the last seven games has sunk the team to within two points of a wild card spot.

What they're saying: Kaprizov will be out at least four weeks, GM Bill Guerin told reporters — and it could be closer to six, per The Athletic.

• The silver lining is that Kaprizov can recover during the Wild's two-week break mid-February during the NHL's in-season international tournament.

Catch up quick: Kaprizov was having an MVP-caliber season before the injury in late December sidelined him for 12 games.

• The team went 7-5 in his absence, and still looked flat offensively during his three-game return.

What's next: The Wild face the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Wednesday night.

• Of the four teams they'll face on their Eastern Conference trip, three are currently in playoff position.