Patrick Sharp had a goal, but it was not nearly enough as the Chicago Blackhawks were dismantled by the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night, 9-2. Sharp's goal was his seventh of the year and 19th point in 21 games. The winger has seven points in his last five games and should be good for around 70 points this season. Dave Bolland had the other marker, his sixth of the year.

Patrick Sharp is back in shape after undergoing an emergency appendectomy at the start of training camp. Sharp started the season but wasn't really in game shape and had only one goal in his first three games before breaking loose. "Shortly after the Boston game, that Colorado back-to-back was good for me," Sharp said. "It just felt like I could play all three periods strong." His five game scoring streak was halted on Friday. Sharp has three goals and eight points in nine games and is on pace to better his 71 point season of a year ago.

Patrick Sharp is fully expected to be in the lineup for Chicago when they take the ice against the Stars in Friday's season-opener. He may have missed the entire preseason after an appendectomy, but that really isn't anything to be concerned about if he's truly ready to go now. Bump Sharp back up your cheatsheets if you had previously dropped him in fear of him missing time.

Patrick Sharp is confident he will be back in the Blackhawks' lineup when they open their regular season Oct. 7. Sharp has been sidelined after needing an appendectomy Sept. 12. "I'm supposed to take it easy with the shooting and skating, but I feel fine out there," said Sharp, who practiced for the first time Friday. "There are no limitations." Sharp won't play in the exhibition finale Sunday against the Washington Capitals, but he hopes to play in the season opener Friday against the Dallas Stars. "I've heard horror stories of people with the same procedure, but mine really wasn't that bad," Sharp said.

Patrick Sharp (appendectomy) skated with the Blackhawks Friday morning. Sharp might be able to participate in Chicago's season opener. He had 34 goals and 71 points in 74 games in 2010-11.

Patrick Sharp (appendectomy) is scheduled to return to practice on Friday. Should Sharp practice, then he could be ready for the season opener next Friday in Dallas. Sharp is one of the Blackhawks' top forwards and had 34 goals and 71 points in 74 games last season. A similar season is in order if he can remain healthy.

Patrick Sharp (appendectomy) has been skating for three straight days. Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville is "very encouraged" by Sharp's progress. It remains to be seen if Sharp will be available for Chicago's season opener. However, even if Sharp ends up missing that game, he probably won't be held out of too many games due to this injury.

Patrick Sharp (appendectomy) resumed skating on Sunday. "(Sharp's) progressing," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "I think he's feleing good. He was out there a little bit (Sunday) and will do the same (Monday) and (Tuesday) and we'll get a better indication after that how close he is to jumping on with us." Quenneville remains hopeful that Sharp will be ready for Chicago's season opener. We'll keep you posted.

Patrick Sharp (appendectomy) is still hoping to play in the Chicago Blackhawks' season opner on October 7th. Sharp had an emergency appendectomy on September 19th. He was initially expected to miss three-to-four weeks, which will make it difficult for him to be ready in time for the opener. On the plus side, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville reported that "(Sharp) said he's excited about where's he at and he wanted to do some working out." We'll keep you posted.

Patrick Sharp, who had an emergency appendectomy Monday night is targeting the 2011-12 season opener for his debut. Sharp will almost certainly miss all of Chicago's training camp but could suit up for the team's regular-season opener on October 7. "I am looking to return as soon as possible," Sharp said. "The timeline is three to four weeks. I don't want to miss any games so I'm pushing to play in that first game of the season." Stay tuned for updates.