ST. LOUIS -- The winner of the Minnesota Wild's recent five-person competition for the final spot in the lineup won't play in the playoffs opener Thursday against the St. Louis Blues.
Matt Cooke, who secured the left wing spot on the fourth line Monday, missed practice Tuesday because of soreness related to his sports hernia injury, which has lingered all season. He returned to practice Wednesday, but his condition will keep him out of the lineup for Game 1 against the Blues, coach Mike Yeo said.
"I don't see why Game 2 would not be a real strong possibility," Yeo said of Cooke returning.