Tucker could return Sunday vs. Blackhawks

Tyler Tucker has worked hard, patiently awaiting his turn.

The St. Louis Blues defenseman has been a healthy scratch the past eight games, but that all could very well change on Sunday when the Blues (10-8-1) take on the Chicago Blackhawks (6-12-0) at 1 p.m.

Tucker has sat idly watching Scott Perunovich play the past eight games, games in which the Blues have gone 5-3-0 in. But after Friday's 8-3 blasting at the hands of the Nashville Predators, Tucker was skating on a pair with Marco Scandella on Saturday and appears to be on track to get back in.

Perunovich and veteran Robert Bortuzzo were skating as a pair Saturday.

"Obviously we were playing some good hockey for a bit there, but just wait for my opportunity and take advantage of it when it comes," Tucker said Saturday.

Tucker has played in eight games and has one goal and one assist; he last played Nov. 7 in a 5-2 loss against the Winnipeg Jets but has worked each practice day to get another crack at the lineup.

"Obviously just keep getting better day by day," Tucker said. "You never know what's going to happen. Just keep working. Hope you get in sooner or later."

Sooner looks a lot closer than later.