Parise (foot) will play on Thursday

Minnesota Wild winger Zach Parise will return tonight after a 14-game absence because of a fractured foot.

With his usual centre Mikko Koivu still not in the lineup, Parise will skate on the top line with Charlie Coyle and Nino Niederreiter. In his previous six games before getting injured, Parise had just one goal with a minus-6 rating. However he has totalled 27 points (15G / 12A) in 37 games this season.

Parise should be activated in all formats and his presence in the lineup will help bolster a Wild lineup that was already playing great hockey without their star winger.

Darcy Kuemper is expected to get the start with Niklas Backstrom returning as his back-up.

Josh Harding remains sidelined with an illness, which is believed to be related to multiple sclerosis. He is still listed as day-to-day but it appears like it will be a post-Olympic break return for Harding.