CALGARY, ALBERTA – NHL ice time leader Ryan Suter missed Wednesday's practice because of a lower-body injury.

However, coach Mike Yeo said Suter was just feeling some discomfort and is expected to play Thursday night against the Flames.

Similarly, left wing Matt Cooke missed practice due to a death in his family. He is expected to return to Calgary on Thursday and play against the Flames.

If Suter can't play, Stu Bickel would dress unless the Wild reassigned him and called up another defenseman. If Cooke doesn't play, Erik Haula, scratched Tuesday in Edmonton, would play.

Defenseman Nate Prosser, who hit his head against the glass in the third period Tuesday in Edmonton, practiced Wednesday, as did left wing Zach Parise, who took a puck to the mouth and lost a tooth in the first period.

Parise said the Oilers' team dentist had to remove the exposed nerve during the first intermission.

MICHAEL RUSSO