Erik Haula will return to the Wild's lineup for Game 2 against the Blackhawks. (USATSI)
Erik Haula will return to the Wild's lineup for Game 2 against the Blackhawks. (USATSI)

Erik Haula hasn’t played in a game yet this postseason, but that will change Sunday night as the Minnesota Wild look to even their second round series with the Chicago Blackhawks. Haula will be taking the place of injured forward Justin Fontaine in Game 2, as head coach Mike Yeo confirmed after the team's morning skate.

Fontaine, who has been a key piece of Minnesota’s fourth line, is dealing with a groin injury that will keep him out Sunday.

Haula, meanwhile, hasn’t played since April 11 and was a healthy scratch for each of Minnesota’s first seven playoff games. The 24-year-old forward has had a bit of an underwhelming year after breaking out last postseason. He had just 14 points in 72 games this year.

However, Haula has had success against the Blackhawks before and that was a factor of his getting back into the lineup. Last year, Haula had three goals and two assists in the second-round series against the Blackhawks. His speed was a huge factor and that’s what the Wild are looking for again.

“What we’d like to see from him is his speed has to be a factor,”  Yeo said after the morning skate Sunday (via the Star Tribune). “The way he’s skating through the middle of the ice, the way he’s supporting pucks, the way he’s challenging the defensemen and pushing them back. But also, more than anything else, it’s his battle level, it’s his defensive game. Those guys are going to be on the ice against good players and they have to make sure they’re up to that task."

The Wild are looking to break a playoff drought in the United Center. Minnesota is winless in their last seven playoff games in Chicago. That was extended with a close 4-3 loss in Game 1 Friday night.

Losing Fontaine is tough, but the Wild have built up some nice organizational depth over the last few years. Being able to go to a player with Haula’s skillset shouldn’t provide too much of a drop off if he brings the battle level Yeo is talking about. There’s no doubt that his speed could come in handy against a similarly speedy team like the Blackhawks.