--After a three-week diet of protein shakes, soup and soft pasta, defenseman Brad Stuart is anxious to eat some solid food and regain the five pounds he has lost since suffering a broken jaw on Jan. 7. He'll need to wait a little longer since his teeth still are wired and the elastic in his mouth limits his movement following surgery on Jan. 13 to insert two plates into the jaw. Stuart can't play for at least 2-3 more weeks, but the team was encouraged to see him back on the ice Monday for practice.

--Dan Cleary clearly needs some time to get up to speed after returning Wednesday following a five-week absence due to a fractured ankle. Cleary had no points and a minus-2 rating in 16:29. But having the versatile two-way forward back in the lineup is important for the team because he fills many roles. He can play on a scoring line or a checking line. He kills penalties and he provides a net-front presence on the power play.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"As long as you're on the winning side, it makes it a lot easier. When Mule (Johan Franzen) gets five, it doesn't happen too often, so it's cool to be a part of it." -- C Henrik Zetterberg.

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