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Home | Sports | Minnesota Wild

Zidlicky might play against Sabres

Bruce Bisping, Star Tribune file

The Wild’s Marek Zidlicky hit a Columbus player along the boards during the preseason. Zidlicky hasn’t played since Sept. 26.

By BRIAN STENSAAS, Star Tribune

Last update: October 22, 2008 - 7:53 AM

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WILD NOTES

Up next: 7 p.m. Thursday vs. Buffalo • Xcel Energy Center • TV: Ch. 45 (830-AM)

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Monday's Wild practice at Parade Ice Garden in Minneapolis was significant for the return of one player and the absence of three.

For the first time since injuring his ankle in a preseason game on Sept. 26 in Chicago, defenseman Marek Zidlicky practiced fully with the team. This after skating alone for 45 minutes Sunday and for about 30 minutes before Monday's session.

"He looked good, skated well," coach Jacques Lemaire said. "He looks like he'll be ready to play soon."

The Wild next plays at home Thursday vs. Buffalo. Lemaire said it is a "big possibility" Zidlicky will be in the lineup.

A smiling Zidlicky, who was traded to the Wild this summer, is all for making his season debut at home in two days. "I feel good," he said. "After three weeks, it's not easy. You want to play, start with the team."

The thought of getting into the lineup erased any lingering negative thoughts. "I'm so excited because it [Xcel Energy Center] is sold out every game," he said. "That's good. Good fans."

Meanwhile, Marian Gaborik, Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Owen Nolan were all held out of practice Monday for what the team is calling lower body injuries.

The three did skate for about a half-hour before practice, but that was all. "It looks like they're not ready yet to come back," Lemaire said.

Some deserved rest

The line of Andrew Brunette, Mikko Koivu and Antti Miettinen looked as crisp in Monday's practice as it has this season. The line has combined for 21 points and scored eight of the team's 14 goals through four games. Shortly after connecting for a tic-tac-toe goal in practice, the three were told to take off the rest of the day. The rest of the team skated about 30 more minutes.

Lemaire said there was no message being sent, just time for a deserved break.

"We don't play until Thursday, so I want to make sure they get enough rest," he said. "[Today] will be a good practice; the next two days for them will be a good practice. This is a line that plays a lot, and I just want to be careful. As long as they play as well as they've been playing, you don't need to practice an hour and a half every day."

Not surprisingly, Lemaire worked with some of the younger players as practice wore on. The coach made the players skate if they failed to execute offensive-minded plays during drills. From there, their production seemed to improve.

"It's funny, as soon as I make them skate, they start to get shots on net," Lemaire said.

Ramsey missing, too

Assistant coach Mike Ramsey had another eye operation Monday, Lemaire said. Ramsey also had eye surgery eight months ago and was unable to travel with the team for a month. Lemaire said this surgery has a "quick recovery."

Backstrom honored

Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom was honored by the NHL on Monday as the league's second star for the week ending Sunday.

Backstrom earned the honor by posting a 1.30 goals-against average, a .952 saves percentage and earning one shutout in leading the Wild to a 3-0 road trip through the Eastern Conference's Southeast Division.

Buffalo forward Thomas Vanek, a former Gophers standout, earned the first star. He had eight points last week on six goals and two assists.

Dallas rookie Fabian Brunnstrom was the third star after netting a hat trick in his NHL debut Wednesday.

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