No cuts in practice today, only two notable absences.

Joffrey Lupul, who missed two preseason games with a bad back before returning to play in Sunday’s finale against the Kings, did not participate in practice.

“He’s had some tightness in his lower back area,” head coach Randy Carlyle said, “and we seem to be able to loosen it up, and then he goes out and does anything, it seems to cramp back up. We’re more precautionary. He did skate the other day, was fit enough to play but yesterday after treatment it persisted, so we felt it was best interests for him not to skate today.”

Carlyle said that Petteri Nokelainen strained his groin muscle against San Jose on Friday toward the end of the second period. The center skated prior to practice Tuesday but didn’t participate in drills.

Logan MacMillan “has had some issues,” Carlyle said, and was in the trainer’s room too. The 20-year-old has played in just one preseason game.

“What we’re trying to do is educate him in some of the training issues and whatnot; we’re keeping the player around,” Carlyle said. “We feel he’s got a lot to learn in a short period of time around our group. He’s got a short period of time right now for him to be with us. But obviously tomorrow has to change.”