A Blue was named one of the NHL's Three Stars of the Week

The NHL's season may be winding down, but the St. Louis Blues are heating up, as yet another player has been named a Star of the Week by the NHL. Last month, it was Jimmy Snuggerud after a productive week; now, it's star center Robert Thomas, capping off a torrid week with his first career hat trick in a critical game against the Colorado Avalanche, earning Third Star for his good work.

The First Star was Rickard Rakell of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who scored a whopping seven goals and eight points in five games as the Pens have essentially locked up the second seed in the Metropolitan Division. Sticking with the Metro, Second Star honors went to the New Jersey Devils' Jack Hughes, who finished the week with three goals and nine points in four games; the Devils' season may be as good as over, but a strong finish from Hughes should give them hope for next season.

Thomas's scoring burst couldn't have come at a better time for the Blues. On the season, they are 33-31-12 and three points back of the second wildcard spot in the Western Conference; going 2-1-1 last week gives them a major boost, but they'll need some help from the teams ahead of them to get over the finish line. Thomas has missed his fair share of games this season and didn't look like himself for stretches, but he's now up to 21 goals (tying his second highest career mark), 35 assists and 56 points in 58 games--more or less the point per game player he's been for most of his career.

The Blues' next game is tomorrow night, as they welcome the Colorado Avalanche in the second half of their home-and-home. Maybe Thomas can muster a little more magic like he did on Sunday to keep the Blues' playoff hopes alive.