ST. LOUIS - Adam Cracknell knows a few things about patience.
The 32-year-old forward, who was drafted 279th overall in 2004, has danced between the NHL and AHL for years. So waiting one game to get this season started was nothing.
Cracknell was a healthy scratch on Friday but then jumped back into the lineup Saturday against the Blues.
"You know me, I'm ready for anything," Cracknell said.
It was a calculated decision by coach Ken Hitchcock. Young forward Gemel Smith earned a spot on the NHL roster, so Hitchcock wanted Smith to play opening night.