Other Western Conference playoff contenders are taking some injury hits – not that the depleted Blues feel any need to feel pity for them.

The struggling Stars got Brad Richards back from a broken wrist after a 15-game absence. So what happens?

In his first game back, Richards broke his other hand. This is not good for Dallas, which is 4-10-1 in its last 15 games.

The Stars need Richards’ speed and playmaking ability. He is one of their few players capable of making teammates better.

Earlier the Stars lost captain Brenden Morrow and push-rushing defenseman Sergei Zubov to season-ending injuries. “It’s definitely been an extremely tough year,” winger Steve Ott told the Dallas Morning News. “That just caps it off right there.”

Minnesota looked to be in great position to grab a spot, since long-lost scorer Marian Gaborik was returning to the lineup. But then the team lost cornerstone center Mikko Koivu to a knee injury, potentially a season-ending issue.

“When we have a challenge like filling a spot like Mikko Koivu, I think it’s just like us to play better,” forward James Sheppard told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “I don’t want to see him go, but it creates an opportunity for me to show what I can do, show that I’m still young but at the same time I can play hockey. It’s going to be good for me. I always like challenges, and I always play better when I’m pushed.”

Nashville center Jason Arnott remains sidelined by an “upper-body injury,” but the Predators did get center Radek Bonk back from his “upper body injury.” So that will help some.

Nashville managed to get six of eight points on their last road trip despite being shorthanded up the middle. Coach Barry Trotz has done a nice job keeping his team moving forward during a difficult season, but Arnott’s injury could eventually take a toll.

INSIDE HOCKEY: The Sabres can’t get goaltender Ryan Miller back fast enough. He has resumed full-scale practice with the hope of returning at some point this week.  “My plan is to get in as quick as possible,” he said. “I really can’t tell you when that’s going to be. It’s really dependent on how quickly I get myself up to speed and how my ankle reacts. I don’t want to do anything too quick. I want to make sure I’m past that point [of a setback] and make sure we do everything the right way.” Old Friend Patrick Lalime did a decent job replacing him early on, but the Sabres are just 1-5-1 in their last seven games . . . The Flyers are glad Daniel Briere returned to the lineup for the stretch run. He pumped in five points during a three-game span after finally recovering from abdominal/groin injuries . . . Steve Regier came in handy for the Blues earlier this season, but he fell into a 22-game goal-scoring drought down in Peoria . . . The Rivermen, by the way, are in an intense five-team battle for three AHL playoff sports . . . Old friend Chris Osgood remains hit or miss in goal for the Red Wings. He got yanked from his last start. “It wasn’t very good, obviously, we all know that,” coach Mike Babcock told the Detroit Free-Press. “But he’s been good for us here of late. I just think he had a tough night. In saying that, he won us the Cup last year, he was great for us. We don’t need him to be first star, we just need him to be regular and I think he’s very capable of doing that.” . . . Elsewhere on the Red Wings front, Marian Hossa will try to re-up in Motown before hitting the free-agent marketplace. But is there money for everybody?