Darcy Kuemper (illness) will not be available for Thursday's playoff opener against the Blues, Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Kuemper (illness) will not be available for Thursday's playoff opener against the Blues, Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Analysis:

Kuemper missed Wednesday's practice and Thursday's morning skate due to the illness, which will allow Niklas Backstrom to serve as the understudy to starter Devan Dubnyk for Game 1. Though Kuemper didn't travel with the Wild to St. Louis, he seems to be feeling better and should join the team Friday for practice. If he checks out well during the session, he'll likely be cleared to back up Dubnyk for Saturday's Game 2.