The official prognosis for Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise is day-to-day, but there are a few more signs the Wild are preparing to at least open the Stanley Cup Playoffs without their assistant captain.
Parise did not practice with the team again on Monday. Bat Flip Sports notes that he is once again feeling pain after aggravating a back injury that’s been bothering him.
Parise dealt with a herniated disk in his back in January. He’s played through the injury after getting treatment since, until he was tripped in by Sharks center Logan Couture last week.
Parise leads the Wild with 25 goals this season and he’s the top scorer in Wild playoff history with 25 points in 28 games.
The tell may come from comments that Wild goaltender, Devan Dubnyk, gave to the Star Tribune’s Michael Russo on Monday after practice.
“This is an extraordinary loss for us. The only way to look at it is, like any time, it’s going to be an opportunity for somebody else to step up and play a huge role, and play a role in winning the series.”
Zach Parise is not at #MNWild practice today. Wild have one more practice (Wednesday) before Game 1. If he doesn't skate then, likely out G1
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) April 11, 2016
Unfortunately for the Wild, Parise isn’t their only serious injury right now. Thomas Vanek is likely to miss the first round and Erik Haula has also been missing practice because of an injury.
The Wild practice on Wednesday before Thursday’s series opener in Dallas.
