Wild's Zach Parise still not a sure thing for playoff opener

Zach Parise's "maintenance" day disturbingly turned into a third day Sunday.

The Wild's leading goal scorer, who missed Saturday's regular-season finale, also missed the team's first practice Sunday in preparation for Thursday's playoff series opener at Dallas.

Interim coach John Torchetti wouldn't disclose the injury and would only say Parise is "day-to-day." He has been bothered by an upper-body injury all second half, so it's unknown if this is a continuation of that or something new.

Asked if there's a chance he could miss Thursday's game, Torchetti repeated that Parise is "day-to-day."

"Whatever players are playing, that's who we work with, and that's how we prepare for the playoffs," Torchetti said.

Teammate Chris Porter, Parise's friend and college teammate, said Parise "has been mum about it to everybody. It's obviously bad. We were all joking that he's a superstitious guy and scoring three on Backy [Niklas Backstrom] last [month], you know it has to be something if he's going to miss [Saturday's] game against [the same Calgary] goalie."

It would be a huge loss if Parise's not ready. Besides leading the Wild with 25 goals, Parise has the second-most playoff experience on the Wild with 89 games. He's the leading playoff scorer in Wild history with 25 points in 28 games. His nine playoff goals with the Wild rank second to Marian Gaborik's 12.

Center Erik Haula also missed Sunday's practice and is day-to-day because of an undisclosed injury. Haula's line is the one Torchetti would like to match up against Dallas' top line.

The Wild already is expected to be without Thomas Vanek to start the playoffs, because of an upper-body injury.

Porter has assumed Parise's spot on the Mikael Granlund line and played a terrific game against Calgary. Torchetti reviewed recent game film of the Wild playing Washington and Philadelphia, and he loved the Wild's physical game with Porter and Ryan Carter in the lineup.

Porter led the Wild with 157 hits this season, and that was while missing 21 games. He was a respected playoff performer with the St. Louis Blues in the past.

"I want to play in the playoffs, I think I'm an effective player in the playoffs," Porter said. "I feel like my style of play suits the playoffs well. I'm going to be physical and get in on the forecheck."

"I'm happy for Brad Berry and the coaches there," Porter said. "It couldn't happen to a better group of guys. When I was there, Berry was the coach who worked with us before and after practice. He's a good teacher."

Stars superstar Tyler Seguin, who had 33 goals and 40 assists in 72 games, missed the final 10 games because of a lacerated Achilles' tendon. Monday, he is expected to practice for the first time since suffering the injury.

Coach Lindy Ruff said he would have a better idea Monday or Tuesday whether Seguin can return Thursday.