Spezza on the PK? Another Dman out for Blues … Bouchard doesn’t get clearance

Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen: Jason Spezza will find himself on the penalty killing unit. Spezza basically hasn’t killed penalties since his AHL/OHL days.

Andy Strickland of True Hockey: The St. Louis Blues have lost another defenseman. Barret Jackman will miss about 3 weeks. Roman Polak will miss at least more 8 weeks after severing multiple tendons. Carlo Colaiacovo is also out. Nikita Nikitin could make his debut on Saturday. Cam Janssen could return this weekend. Ty Conklin will get into a game on either Saturday or Sunday.

Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune: Pierre-Marc Bouchard didn’t get clearance from doctors on Friday to begin playing again. Bouchard is still feeling some pressure in his head after workouts. Though disappointed, considers it part of the process in his comeback. He hasn’t played a game since Oct. 9th 2009.

Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: Pekka Rinne will start for the Predators tonight against the Kings.

Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail: Ed Jovanovski’s hat trick on Wednesday for the first by a defenseman in the Coyotes/Jets history, 2,415 games. Chris Osgood is 2 wins away from becoming the 10 NHL goalie to hit 400 wins.

WGR 550 Audio: Lindy Ruff postgame comments. Drew Stafford has upper body injury.