Stars forward Blake Comeau is nearing a return from a knee injury that has kept him out of the lineup since opening night on Oct. 3, coach Jim Montgomery said Wednesday afternoon.

Montgomery said Comeau is doubtful to play Friday in Colorado, but he is hopeful Comeau will be able to go Saturday against Montreal and that the forward will definitely be ready for Tuesday’s game against Colorado. Comeau was a full practice participant Wednesday.

Comeau suffered the injury when he was hit in the face by a puck during the first period of the season and then fell awkwardly to the ice. What initially looked like an injury to his face became an injury to his knee, and he has missed the last 13 games.

“It hit me in the face, and it just kind of buckled my legs, just the way I was leaning over, my knee bent inwards,” Comeau said. “It was kind of a freak accident, no one really around me. Obviously, my face hurt. And then when I tried to get up, my knee hurt.”

Comeau said it was about a week before he could do anything physically, but his rehabilitation revved up with bike rides and bag skates. Comeau skated on his own during the Stars’ recent week-long road trip and joined practice in a limited capacity when they returned.

On Wednesday, he was part of a fourth line that rotated with Andrew Cogliano, Nick Caamano and Jason Dickinson. When Comeau returns, Caamano figures to be the odd man out, and Comeau can slide into a familiar spot in the bottom six.

Despite absorbing a puck to his face and not wearing a mouthguard, Comeau said he didn’t require dental work, though his tooth cut through his upper lip.

“Somehow, I kept all my teeth, so I’ll take that,” Comeau said. “That’s a positive.”

Lindell keeps smile: Stars defenseman Esa Lindell also did not lose any teeth after he blocked a Sidney Crosby shot with his face Saturday night, but his mouthguard was to thank for that one. Lindell said without the guard, he could have lost three teeth in addition to the 15 stitches he received in his upper lip.

During Tuesday’s win over Minnesota, Lindell wore a hybrid faceguard that was made up of a bubble shield on top and a metal cage on the bottom. It helped him see the puck better at his feet. Lindell said he’s only allowed to eat soft foods, meaning lots of mashed potatoes and meat sauce.

Lindell was happy to not lose any teeth, so that he can continue to make fun of defense partner John Klingberg’s missing front teeth.

Monty meets with Bishop: Montgomery said he met with goaltender Ben Bishop on Wednesday morning, one day after Bishop was pulled at the first intermission. Bishop allowed two goals on the Wild’s first 10 shots, including one on the first shot he faced. It was the fourth time this season Bishop allowed the first shot he faced to go in.

“Those are things that you’re going to discuss because you don’t want anything to fester,” Montgomery said. “Bish actually came and saw me before, I didn’t know he was here before I had a chance to go get him. Then him and [goalie coach Jeff Reese] will keep doing the great work they’ve done together since Bish has been here. We know Bish is our No. 1. We know Bish is going to do a great job for us.”

Montgomery said backup Anton Khudobin will start in Colorado and Bishop will play Saturday against Montreal.

Briefly: Forward Tyler Seguin did not practice Wednesday as he recovers from an illness that nearly kept him out of Tuesday’s game.

-- Defenseman Andrej Sekera did not practice and hasn’t skated with the team since crashing into the boards against Pittsburgh on Saturday.

-- Seventeen Stars players visited Benjamin Franklin Middle School on Wednesday afternoon to help organize donated school supplies and distribute them to teachers in the wake of last week’s tornado that touched down in North Dallas.