Parise re-aggravates back injury, playoffs in doubt

The Hockey Central panel previews the Stanley Cup Playoffs series between the high-flying Stars and Minnesota Wild.

The Minnesota Wild may be without star forward Zach Parise for its first-round playoff series against the Dallas Stars.

According to Michael Russo of the Star Tribune, Parise was seeing a specialist a week after aggravating a back injury that has affected him since January.

Parise sat out Minnesota’s final regular-season game against the Calgary Flames and last played against the San Jose Sharks on April 5, when he was held pointless and logged 19:57.

The left winger is officially listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed injury.

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Parise was diagnosed with a herniated disk that was pressing on a nerve in January, but played through the injury while getting cortisone injections and other treatment, Russo reports.

Sources indicated to Russo that Parise’s injury was re-aggravated after being tripped by Sharks centre Logan Couture, and the Wild forward has experienced tingling in his legs, foot numbness, and disabling back pain.

Parise has 30 goals and 38 assists in 89 career playoff games and helped the New Jersey Devils reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2012.

Minnesota opens its series against the Stars on Thursday.

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