As bad as a recent bout with the flu was for Blues defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo, sitting out as a healthy scratch after that was more painful.

On Saturday night, Colaiacovo played his first game since Oct. 24, missing four games with the flu and four more as he worked his way back into the lineup.

"I'm not going to look back. ... It's done, it's over with," Colaiacovo said. "I've been able to take in the situation and watch the last couple of games. It made me work harder off the ice to get back in there."

Colaiacovo took the place of Darryl Sydor in the lineup Saturday against San Jose.

"Carlo has worked hard in practice," Blues coach Andy Murray said. "Carlo in my opinion was one of our best two defensemen last year. I thought in Stockholm that Carlo and Mike Weaver, that was our best pair in Stockholm. From that point, when we got back, it was a little up and down. But Carlo has worked hard in practice."

Colaiacovo said the competition for playing time has increased now that all eight defensemen are healthy.

"It makes sure that guys are playing their 'A' game every night and doing the right thing to stay in the lineup," Colaiacovo said. "Fortunately, we have eight great guys that can get in there any night. ... We're all pulling for each other, and at the end of the day, it's all about winning."

BERGLUND IN A FUNK

Patrik Berglund had just one point in his past 10 games before Saturday, and after seeing his playing time decrease, the Blues center was put on a line with Brad Winchester and Cam Janssen Saturday.

"Patrik cares a lot," Murray said. "He's probably better than any of our young players at self-analysis. When he watches a clip, he gets it. And he knows right now what he has to do. ... He's just not doing it yet.

"There is a lot of pride there. He wants to be better. Some young guys don't get it. That's why you like him ... that's why you want him to be successful. (But) ultimately, it's result-based and he's got to get the results for us."

ELLER RE-ASSIGNED

Lars Eller was sent back to Peoria on Friday after scoring one goal in five games.

"I think the bottom line with Lars ... we were encouraged," Murray said. "We felt his play had dropped off somewhat and he wasn't being used as much as he needed to be used, in terms of his development.

"It's more important for him to get minutes in Peoria right now."