Ryan Carter’s wait is over.

After missing 23 games recovering from a shoulder injury the veteran center rejoined the Minnesota Wild lineup Saturday night against the Los Angeles Kings.

Carter, out since Feb. 9, replaced struggling Sean Bergenheim on the fourth line with Jordan Schroeder and Erik Haula.

“Probably a good game to come back into,” coach Mike Yeo said before the game, according to the team’s website.

“He adds a physical presence to our game, is certainly important part of our defensive game. The way he builds momentum for our team is important but his penalty killing is also a big factor us as well.”

Bergenheim has failed to click with Minnesota since being acquired last month with a third-round draft choice in exchange for a seventh-round pick from the Florida Panthers. He has one goal in 15 games and is minus-5.

Left wing Matt Cooke, who had double hernia surgery in mid-February is improving and might be able to begin practicing again next week. Yeo said he would meet with trainers to determine whether it is “realistic” that Cook will be able to play again this season.

Kyle Brodziak, who has missed two games with an upper body injury, also is scheduled to resume practicing

Tuesday. That would create more roster intrigue for a team poised to lock up a playoff berth.

“It’s almost a bit of a showcase for guys as far as what our lineups going to be going forward,” Yeo said, according to Wild.com. “Every game, every shift is meaningful right now.”

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