Brunette, Zidlicky expected to be in lineup tonight for Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild will be the closest to full strength they've been since February when they open their home season against the Edmonton Oilers at 7:30 tonight at the Xcel Energy Center.
Forward Andrew Brunette and defenseman Marek Zidlicky both took part in the team's morning skate today and are expected to be in the lineup.
Brunette missed two practices with a hip injury, and Zidlicky missed his team's first two games in Finland because of a groin injury.
The only Wild players injured are forward James Sheppard, out indefinitely with a shattered left kneecap, backup goaltender Josh Harding, out indefinitely with torn ligaments in his right knee, and forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard.
Bouchard also took part in the team's morning skate, then said he continues to progress on the comeback trail from post-concussion symptoms that knocked him out for 81 of the Wild's 82 games last season.
Coach Todd Richards says the plan is to ease Bouchard back into heavier workouts at a slow pace, so the forward is not expected back in the lineup too soon. But, Bouchard says, he's staying positive about a comeback before long.
