Yeo says lineup changes coming for Wild's game with Buffalo

With the Wild mired in a four-game slump, coach Mike Yeo said Wednesday that he will make changes to the lineup for Thursday's game against Buffalo. That may include the addition of defenseman Jared Spurgeon, but winger Zach Parise is unlikely to return.

Parise and Spurgeon both participated in an optional practice Wednesday at Ridder Arena. Though both had shed the red no-contact jerseys they wore when they resumed practice Monday, Yeo said Parise's recovery from a concussion is being carefully managed and that it is doubtful he will play against the Sabres. Spurgeon, on the mend from a shoulder injury, could be in uniform if he feels ready.

The Wild shuffled the roster Wednesday, sending winger Stephane Veilleux and defenseman Jonathon Blum to its AHL affiliate in Iowa. It recalled defenseman Stu Bickel, who provides muscle, and forward Jordan Schroeder, who leads the Iowa Wild with four goals and seven assists.

Parise has missed three games, while Spurgeon has been sidelined for five.

"We just have to be smart about it,'' Yeo said of reinstating Parise, who still leads the team in scoring with four goals and six assists. "We know what he adds to our lineup, but you just have to think of the big picture here. We have to make sure when we get him back that we're keeping him back for good.''

Schroeder, of Prior Lake, and Bickel, of Chanhassen, are former Gophers who have yet to play for the Wild. Both were signed as free agents last summer.

The Wild's problems have mounted during the longest current losing streak in the league. It has not held a lead in its past 240 minutes of play. Its power play remains last in the NHL with two goals in 44 chances. Two of its highest-profile players — Mikko Koivu (two goals, one assist) and Thomas Vanek (one goal, eight assists) — have failed to produce.

"One thing we've seen, especially in these second periods, we're losing a lot of momentum because of careless turnovers and forcing plays that aren't there,'' Yeo said. "We have to make sure we have a little bit more urgency to get to the hard areas, a little bit more puck support, a little bit more will around the net.

"We find ourselves chasing, and the second periods in these last three games are basically all the same. There's a certain way we need to play. And we need to play it for 60 minutes.''

It might be tempting to view the lowly Sabres as a tonic for the Wild's ills. Forward Jason Pominville cautioned against that Wednesday, even though Buffalo sits at the bottom of the NHL with three victories and eight points.

Pominville was drafted by the Sabres in 2001 and spent his entire career with that organization until he was traded to the Wild in 2013. He enjoys playing against former teammates, but he noted that several former Wild players — including forwards Torrey Mitchell, Cody McCormick and Matt Moulson — will have extra incentive.

"We can't expect to have an easy game, because we'd be cheating ourselves,'' Pominville said. "We'll have to make sure were ready.''