"Encouraging words from Lindy Ruff after practice today about his injured trio. Patrick Kaleta is back on the ice wearing a red (non-contact) jersey. Meanwhile, Thomas Vanek skated briefly this morning before the team and Tim Connolly is back on a stationary bike.

"Both of them are a lot better," Ruff said of Vanek and Connolly. "Thomas actually went for a little bit of a skate today. Tim is back riding the bike and doing pretty well with that. I'm optimistic we'll get them back on the ice maybe later in the week.""