Kari Lehtonen made his second conditioning start in the AHL on Wednesday, part of his rehab from two offseason back surgeries. His two-week rehab assignment ends next week. - Atlanta Journal Constitution

Claude Julien said there's a chance that Marco Sturm (leg) could practice with the team Thursday. Sturm skated on his own Wednesday morning. Steve Begin, who has missed the last four games because of a lower-body injury, practiced but didn't participate in all of the battle drills. Begin is expected to ramp up his on-ice work and is hopeful he can dress against Buffalo or Saturday against Los Angeles. Patrice Bergeron, limited to spot faceoff duty because of his broken right thumb, took regular draws. He said there's a chance he could take more faceoffs tomorrow because his thumb is feeling better. - Boston Herald/Globe

With Drew Stafford sidelined by the flu, Adam Mair played with Tim Kennedy and Matt Ellis on Monday. He moved up to the third line Wednesday with Thomas Vanek and Derek Roy. Stafford, who sat out the game in Vancouver, came back for Clarke MacArthur. - Buffalo News

Dave Bolland has rejoined the team and is practicing as his rehabilitation from surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back continues. Bolland hopes to return Feb. 3 when the Hawks host the Blues in their first game after their current eight-game trip. - Chicago Tribune

Ryan Wilson, who has missed the last two games with a concussion, will return to the lineup, coach Joe Sacco said. Adam Foote (ankle) is questionable. - Denver Post

Derek Dorsett suffered an injury to his left forearm or wrist midway through the first period Tuesday. But neither the club nor the player would reveal any details yesterday, except to say that Dorsett would miss the game against the Kings. Rostislav Klesla, out since Nov. 30 because of torn muscles in his abdomen and groin, joined practice for 15 minutes for a second straight day. He's targeting a return in early February. - Columbus Dispatch

After getting a stick jammed in his throat Jan. 6 in New York and having to undergo an emergency tracheotomy, Mike Ribeiro says he feels a lot better. He ran through drills with the Stars at the morning skate Wednesday. - Dallas Morning News

Brad Stuart suffered a sprained left shoulder in the first period of Wednesday's 5-2 loss to Minnesota and left midway through the third period. Stuart will be re-evaluated Thursday. Jason Williams (leg) said he'd be ready to play Friday and Tomas Holmstrom (foot) said he'd likely be ready to play Sunday. - Detroit Free Press

Derek Boogaard (hamstring) did not play Wednesday. Chuck Kobasew, out with a left knee injury since Dec. 26, has resumed skating. Boogaard's injury is not considered serious, and the timeline for the return of Kobasew and Stoner is indefinite. Goalie Niklas Backstrom was back at the team's morning skate Wednesday after missing one practice because of a sore back but was said to be feeling good enough to play if needed. He was on the bench as backup to Josh Harding against Detroit. - Pioneer Press/Star Tribune

Marcel Goc (upper body) and forward Joel Ward (groin) sat out Tuesday's game at Columbus, but Coach Barry Trotz said he expects them to be ready for Friday's game at Detroit. - Nashville Tennessean

Patrik Elias is no longer is suffering from the symptoms of his concussion and has begun working out off the ice, GM Lou Lamoriello said Wednesday. Elias missed his sixth game in a row since being knocked out on a hit by Colorado defenceman Ryan Wilson on Jan. 16. Lamoriello also said it was "possible" that defenseman Paul Martin (fractured left forearm) and right wing David Clarkson (fractured right fibula) would begin skating by the end of the week. - Star-Ledger

Wade Redden was benched on Wednesday. John Tortorella would not elaborate on Redden's benching. - NY Post

Cory Clouston switched up Cheechoo and Kovalev. He said since they are playing on the road (in Pittsburgh) he wanted different match-ups. Jesse Winchester skated with the team for the first time since suffering a right knee injury on Jan 9. - TSN

Max Talbot practiced after skating on his own lately and is expected to return tonight after missing the past three games because of a groin injury. Bill Guerin, who has missed one game because of an undisclosed injury, practiced. He is day to day. Alex Goligoski, who also has missed one game because of an unspecified problem, did not practice and won't play tonight. - Tribune Review

After missing three games with an upper-body injury, David Backes returned to the lineup Wednesday night against Vancouver. Carlo Colaiacovo (lower-body injury) practiced with the team Wednesday morning. He is eligible to come off injured reserve Saturday. - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Cue the Benny Hill theme:

The only comparison we can make is when you're putting on a shirt at an odd hour in the morning and you accidentally put your head inside the sleeve -- and then the phone rings.