Blues' Schwartz might be back sooner than expected

ST. LOUIS -- Two of the three players who had to leave the Blues' win Saturday night over the Rangers at least will be traveling to Canada with the team -- and a player not expected back so soon might be.

Forward Jaden Schwartz, who has been out since injuring his left elbow in practice Sept. 29, could return to the Blues' lineup during the team's trip to Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary this week, Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said Monday morning. The initial speculation after Schwartz's injury had been that he would miss at least four weeks.

As for the players who were hurt Saturday -- all with upper-body injuries -- forward Kyle Brodziak and defenseman Carl Gunnarsson will join the Blues on their Canada swing. Forward Jori Lehtera will not, at least not to Vancouver, according to Hitchcock. None of the three participated in the team's skate Monday morning prior to its departure.