Bolts notes: Malone eyes Saturday return

As Ryan Malone sat at his locker stall Friday removing his hockey equipment in the visitor's locker room at Madison Square Garden, he tried to catch his breath before answering questions about his playing status.

While he wouldn't go as far to say that games are less taxing than being pushed through lengthy morning practices, he did say games are a lot more fun.

Malone seems set to get back to having fun.

After practicing for the fourth consecutive day, and doing so without a colored jersey indicating an injured player, Malone — out with an upper-body injury suffered Jan. 21 — is expecting to be back in the lineup Saturday when the Lightning play at Buffalo.

"Everything feels good. I took a little contact out there, so we are just making sure and we'll see how it feels and take it day by day," Malone said. "We don't want to come back too soon and then you take one hit and we are right back to Square 1. So we want to make sure everything is good and I can last the rest of the season."

Malone has been in and out of the lineup this season with a variety of issues after entering training camp coming off shoulder surgery during the summer. But when he is on the ice, his presence is felt.

"We need this guy in the lineup. ... The last 10 games or so he was playing, he looked terrific out there offensively and defensively and he finally got his legs going," coach Guy Boucher said.

Winter Classic

The league announced that the 2013 Winter Classic will be hosted by the Detroit Red Wings on Jan. 1 at the University of Michigan's football stadium in Ann Arbor, against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The event will also feature an alumni game at Comerica Park the day before, but Lightning GM Steve Yzerman, a legend from his playing days in Detroit, released a statement saying he does not intend to participate in the game.

"It will be a fantastic event with two great organizations at a storied venue, the perfect location and matchup," Yzerman said "This is wonderful for the NHL. At this time, I don't plan on participating in the alumni game but hope to watch the Winter Classic on TV."

Bergeron, Hall sit

One game after D Marc-Andre Bergeron and RW Adam Hall returned from lengthy absences due to injuries, both were healthy scratches.

"They were OK (in the last game)," Boucher said. "It's tougher for Bergeron (coming back) as a defenseman than a forward because they are a lot tougher to hide. Our team has really progressed in the past three weeks, so it's timing and all the little details that he has to get back, so that's tough."

Coach Ohlund

Injured D Mattias Ohlund is traveling with the team, but it's not an indication he is ready to resume skating.

Ohlund has not played a game this season after having surgery on both knees in October, and he has not skated since November, but the coaching staff hopes to use Ohlund as a de facto coach.

"We have him looking at the games and see if he can contribute and see some things that we've missed or confirm," Boucher said. "He's a good leader, and having him around is good for him and it's good for the team."