Dubnyk preparing to return to lineup against Predators

ST. PAUL -- Devan Dubnyk is officially back in action.
After missing six games with a lower-body injury, the goaltender returned to the lineup Wednesday against the Dallas Stars, albeit as a backup to Alex Stalock. Following practice Thursday morning, Dubnyk indicated it's all systems go moving forward.
"It was kind of a first for me to have to miss some time. It wasn't fun," Dubnyk said. "But I'm glad it's over now, and I'm excited to get back at it."

Dubnyk was injured early against the Calgary Flames on Dec. 12, but managed to stay in net and make several timely saves throughout the remainder of the first period. Stalock entered the net to begin the second stanza, which is where he's remained in the two weeks since.
The road to recovery detoured through Florida as Dubnyk traveled with the team on its Eastern Conference trip before the Christmas break. After a few practices in the southern sun, Dubnyk felt himself returning to a comfortable yet high caliber of play.
"Right from the first ice time in Florida, I was really happy with how it felt and it's just gotten better since," Dubnyk said. "The first couple minutes, I didn't feel like I was gonna be able to go into a butterfly [stance]… but the more I did, the better I felt."

With back-to-back games against the Nashville Predators on Friday and Saturday, Dubnyk's return to the lineup couldn't come at a better time. The Predators lead the Central Division with 49 points, and having two goaltenders available will make the home-and-home series a little easier.
"I'm assuming he's gonna play one of those two games," said Wild coach Bruce Boudreau.
Does Boudreau have a plan for who he'll play in goal each game? "Yep." Will he divulge it? "No."
Having the luxury to keep mum on who's playing which night is something Boudreau lacked since Dubnyk went down. Steve Michalek was recalled from the Iowa Wild to back up Stalock, but never saw any game action -- even in the back-to-back in Florida.
"I've always had a lot of confidence in Stalock]," Boudreau said. "Confidence has never weighed in decision-making in playing Alex.
"Right now, we've still got great confidence in Alex, and hopefully when [Dubnyk] comes back he's gonna play great and then we got two good goalies that maybe we go to a little bit more."
Spirits were certainly high surrounding both goalies at practice Thursday, as teammates rained shots on the two in front of a sizable audience of youth hockey players on hand for the Wild's
[Mite Holiday Jamboree
. Extra work with power-play units kept Dubnyk and Stalock on their toes -- literally.
And while there's still some pain, "there's zero hesitation on any plays," Dubnyk said.

No Nino

Nino Niederreiter did not take the ice with teammates Thursday morning and will not play in either game against the Predators, Boudreau said. Niederreiter sustained a lower-body injury on Dec. 22 against the Florida Panthers and left the game in the first period.
"From what I gather, he's skating tomorrow," Boudreau said. "He's out this weekend, but hopefully at some point next week we'll get him back."

Highway to healing

Zach Parise's path to recovery from microdiscectomy surgery took him down I-35 to Des Moines, as the Wild announced Thursday morning that the forward was
assigned to the Iowa Wild
on a conditioning stint. Parise is
expected to suit up
for Iowa against the Rockford IceHogs on Thursday night.
"If I'm not watching I guarantee I'll be getting updates every ten minutes," said Boudreau of Parise's Iowa debut. "It'll be interesting."
It will be Parise's first taste of game action this season.
Related:
- Parise assigned to Iowa on conditioning assignment - Dad not far from Parise's mind on mentor's trip - Wild continues to roll despite turnstile of injuries - Watch: Dubnyk nearing full strength