Blues' Shattenkirk will play Saturday after 25-game absence

The St. Louis Blues will get a big boost on the blue line Saturday.

Defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk will make his return to the lineup against the Columbus Blue Jackets after missing 25 games with an abdominal injury, head coach Ken Hitchcock confirmed after Friday's practice.

"(I'm) ready to go," Shattenkirk told reporters after the session. "Really the only way to get back into game shape is to start playing games."

He joined his teammates for practice Friday and has been skating with them this week.

"I had a really good practice today," he said. 

"I felt good out there and it was nice to be out there with the team, get the speed of the game back a little bit. Tomorrow will be notched up even more playing in a game. I'm excited about it."

Shattenkirk was in the Norris Trophy conversation at the time of his injury, racking up 40 points in 49 games. He is second on the team in time-on-ice, averaging 22:54.