Viktor Stalberg (concussion) was cleared to play , but coach Joel Quenneville opted to stick with the same lineup that defeated the Red Wings and Kings in back-to-back games against the Predators on Wednesday.
"I'm prepared to play but they've been successful the last two games," Stalberg said. "We'll go with the same lineup. It will be good for me to get a few extra days in between and make sure I'm 100 percent."
Stalberg hasn't played since he was boarded by the Avalanche's Ryan O'Byrne last Wednesday. He was cleared to play Tuesday after passing all the league-mandated tests.
"We'll know coming out of the break that he's full and ready to go," Quenneville said.
Stalberg and Marian Hossa (lower-body) took part in Wednesday's morning skate, while Patrick Kane (ankle) skated on his own. All three are expected back after Christmas.
Quenneville said Hossa "is close" and that Kane "did well" in his skate Wednesday. Neither will be on the ice until Sunday. So their availability against the Blue Jackets Sunday is up in the air.
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