It's impossible to measure exactly how much the Wild missed Jared Spurgeon on Tuesday night in Los Angeles.
But if there was a clear example of how critical he is to the team he now captains, it came just past the halfway point of the first period Thursday night against the Anaheim Ducks.
With Minnesota holding a 2-0 lead, the Ducks were presented an opportunity to skate with a 5-on-3 advantage for more than one minute.
Captain's return sparks Wild in win over Ducks
Spurgeon's trifecta of great defensive plays helps Minnesota kill 5-on-3, maintain momentum early in Anaheim