Joe Sakic skated in practice today. As did Ryan Smyth and Paul Stastny. Stastny is still questionable for tomorrow, whereas Smyth should return by Sunday. Sakic is still a ways away – March at least.

Dan Cleary's broken jaw will keep him out of the lineup for six to eight weeks. This will give added responsibility to the likes of Filppula and Hudler.

Martin Havlat left yesterday's contest, but he apparently has the flu. They're saying "undisclosed illness" so We'll know more later.

Marc-Andre Fleury was sent to the minors for conditioning – he is expected to play three to five games before being recalled. I suspect he and Conklin will share duties until one proves better than the other, when Fleury returns.

Doug Weight missed yesterday's contest with an "arm" injury.

Ales Kotalik missed yestday's game with the flu. As did Keith Tkachuk and Brad Stuart.

Dan Cloutier, recently recalled from his banishment to the AHL, got the start on Sunday and earned a 3-2 shootout win over the Blue Jackets. The 31-year-old, playing in his first NHL game of the season, kicked aside 31 of 33 shots.

📢 advertisement:

Jonathan Toews was back in the Chicago lineup last night and right on cue Patrick Sharp starts scoring again. Sharp led all forwards in ice time with 23:18.

The Top 3 picks of the 2004 draft had a great day yesterday – Ovechkin three points, Malkin four points and Barker two points. Ovechkin and Malkin are now 1-2 in scoring.

Martin Rucinsky was back in the St. Louis lineup.

Dick Tarnstrom made his Columbus debut yesterday and picked up an assist – activate him immediately, as I think he will do very well in his new city – at least to start.

The Penguins' doctors diagnosed a concussion when Simon Gagne left yesterday's contest. He had already missed 30 games with a concussion this season.

Scary stuff with Richard Zednik yesterday. He took a skate to the neck and left the ice bleeding. He is stable after emergency surgery. Full details, if you want to read them, can be found here .