Minnesota Wild's Charlie Coyle (3) and Zach Parise (11) celebrate Coyle's shootout goal for the win over the Winnipeg Jets in an NHL game in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, John Woods)

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Zach Parise was in the starting lineup for the Minnesota Wild against the Colorado Avalanche on Friday.

Parise blocked a shot with his left foot in a loss to St. Louis on Monday and was expected to miss 2 to 3 weeks with a contusion.

But Minnesota's leading scorer skated in pregame warmups and decided he felt good enough to play against Colorado.

Avs forward Paul Stastny was scratched for the second straight game with back spasms.