The All-Star break came at a good time for David Perron. The Blues forward, who was sidelined more than a year because of concussion symptoms, has come on strong since. He scored the Blues' first two goals Saturday, against Colorado in a 3-2 victory, giving him five in his last three games. He also had an assist and credits time off with helping him move forward.

"Before the break I was still thinking about my injury a lot," he said. "Not that I'm not anymore, but I think I kind of turned the page a little bit there. That break was really good for me. Now I'm going out there and thinking about hockey more than anything else."

Perron returned to the lineup in early December, 97 games and more than a year after experiencing concussion symptoms from a hit delivered by San Jose's Joe Thornton. Perron played in 24 games before the All-Star Game recess arrived. Since the schedule resumed on Feb. 3, he has appeared more engaged. This weekend, which features back-to-back games with Colorado and San Jose, presents a big test. He passed the first one, on Saturday, in a big way.

"It's one of those things where you don't know where it will fully click.,'' he said. "But there's still some parts of my game missing and I'm trying to get there as soon as possible."

Perron has had enough parts working to score 13 points in his first 14 games back after returning on Dec. 3. Things tailed off a bit as the break approached. He had four points in the next 10 games and was not as prominent.

But he had two goals in a win over Ottawa last Tuesday, both scored as he went to the net. He scored again on Thursday at New Jersey and after his outing Saturday has nine goals and 14 assists.

Moreover, Perron has been a good luck charm for the Blues at home. The team is 27-1-3 in its last 31 home games with Perron in the lineup. In those 31games, the winger had 28 points and a plus-18 rating.

Some players who have been through extended absences have told Perron it took three months back playing for them to feel they were close to 100 percent again, others have suggested it will take five months. Essentially, Perron is still less than 2∏ months in.

"I think it's the mental conditioning of going on the grind every day," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. "When you get time away from the game, it's a grind for you. I think he's just starting to figure out how hard it is to play. Things you take for granted, because you're in the swing of things, become more difficult. I think he's getting better and better from an effort standpoint.

"He's always had great skill, but the thing that we like is that he is starting to put a consistent effort in with the skill. He's working hard so the skill can come out."

McDonald back Sunday?

Andy McDonald was on the ice again for an optional Saturday morning skate. But he was not on skates against Colorado. With the Blues in the midst of back-to-back games, it seems logical - if he is ready to return - the team might wait to start McDonald in the second of those games, rather than have him play two games in 24 hours.

The bottom line is his return appears imminent, perhaps as soon as Sunday night when the Blues play host to San Jose. McDonald has not participated since suffering a concussion in the third game of the season at Dallas.

Roster move

Defenseman Kris Russell was still under the weather with the flu and did not play Saturday. The Blues promoted Ian Cole from their American Hockey League affiliate in Peoria, Ill., to replace Russell. Cole probably will be in the lineup again Sunday.

Defenseman Kent Huskins, missing since Oct. 28 because of an ankle injury, is close to returning.