Injured Demitra expected back for playoffs

While Pavol Demitra will miss his second consecutive game tonight because of a strained leg muscle, the long-term prognosis for the left winger is good.

By Judd Zulgad, Star Tribune

Last update: April 6, 2007 - 11:24 PM

While Pavol Demitra will miss his second consecutive game tonight because of a strained leg muscle, the long-term prognosis for the left winger is good.

Wild Assistant General Manager Tom Lynn said Friday that Demitra will rest for a couple of days before returning to practice. "Expect him for first playoff game on Wednesday or Thursday," Lynn said in an e-mail.

Demitra, who missed Thursday's victory over Edmonton and will sit out the Wild's regular-season finale tonight when it plays host to St. Louis, spent Friday getting treatment at Parade Ice Garden while his teammates practiced. With Demitra absent, Mark Parrish skated on a line with center Wes Walz and right winger Marian Gaborik.

Demitra is tied with winger Brian Rolston for the team scoring lead. Both have 64 points.

New captain?

General Manager Doug Risebrough, coach Jacques Lemaire and the Wild assistant coaches met after Friday's practice to discuss who should serve as the team's captain for the playoffs. An announcement is expected today.

Parrish has served as captain the past two months and the Wild is 20-5-4 in that time. Parrish, who could retain the captaincy, will continue to wear the "C" for at least tonight's game. Veteran defenseman Keith Carney would be a logical candidate for the job. Carney served in that role in December.

Someone pointed out to Lemaire that his team has several potential choices.

"We've got enough leadership and the attitude is good," he said before adding, "most of the guys. I can't say all of the guys. ... There are always exceptions and I would lie if I said all the guys."

Etc.

• Barring a meltdown tonight, the Wild goaltending tandem of Niklas Backstrom and Manny Fernandez will win the William M. Jennings Trophy. The honor goes to the goalie(s) who have played a minimum of 25 games for the team with the fewest goals scored against. The Wild has given up 190 goals this season, four fewer than the Dallas Stars, who have two games left. Backstrom, who was given Friday's practice off, leads the NHL in goals-against average (1.99) and save percentage (.928).

• Center Todd White missed practice because of a family situation. A team spokesperson said White will be available for tonight's game.

• A limited number of single-game playoff tickets for the first round will go on sale at 10 a.m. today at the Xcel Energy Center box office and at noon through all Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com) locations or by calling 651-989-5151. A limit of two tickets per game may be purchased per person. ... Fans attending tonight's game will receive a scratch-and-win card with a chance to win prizes as part of "fan celebration night."

Judd Zulgad • jzulgad@startribune.com

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