After last night's come-from-behind victory in Nashville, Wild coach Mike Yeo called for an optional practice today.Your friend Michal Russo was one of those opting out.
Twelve skaters and goaltenders Niklas Backstrom and Darcy Kuemper took to the ice for the skate, which included some half-rink 3-on-3 scrimmaging and some work on the transition game.
Here are some of the nuggets to come out of today's workout:
--It was good news to see both forward Ryan Carter and defenseman Marco Scandella again on the ice working out out with the team. Scandella has missed the last eight games with an upper body injury and Carter has been out since Feb. 9 with a shoulder injury.
The quick news: Neither will play in tomorrow's home game with Washington; Wild coach Mike Yeo said he would go with the same lineup against the Caps that he used in Nashville. But both players took more contact today and came out feeling OK, so both seem to be nearing a return to the ice.
Here's what they had to say, post-practice:
First, Scandella: "I battled a little bit more today," he said. "It still feels good. I'm just trying to get back and be sharp out there, try to get into game shape.''
There is still a ways to go with Scandella. He said the injury affects just about every hockey movement, and it has inhibited his ability to really let loose on his shot. "I'm shooting harder and harder every day," he said. "I'm not going full-out yet. But it feels good."