Zach Parise set for return to Wild practice

Zach Parise will join his Minnesota Wild teammates at practice in preparation for the Nashville Predators on Saturday, but is still not quite ready to return to the lineup.

Parise sprained a ligament in his right knee in a collision with Predators forward James Neal on Nov. 5.

He's still awaiting clearance to handle contact.

The Wild's per-game output has dipped below three since Parise, still tied for the team lead with seven goals, exited the lineup. But the 2.94 goal-per-game mark they'll bring into Saturday's clash with the Predators still ranks sixth in the NHL.