St. Louis Blues captain Robert Thomas has entered a new territory. The Blues are in a position to really make a charge into a new era, one that could lead back to a Stanley Cup.
But if you look at this first two games of this season, it looks like it’s going to be a bumpy ride.
The season opener was a fantastic performance. The Blues put together a good, all-around effort in shutting out the Dallas Stars 4-0.
Joel Hofer proved that he’s the real deal. Everything clicked, with just a great defensive showing.
The next night, it seemed as though the Blues forgot they had a game. They were pretty much a no-show against the Colorado Avalanche, dropping a 6-1 shellacking. Jordan Binnington had a questionable game, to say the least.
Those two games, seemingly night and day, have become Thomas’ first real test as team captain. Thomas now has to prove that his leadership can make the difference between letting his team shrink amid a tough outing like the one in Colorado or emerge as a solid squad.
But there’s a little more to Thomas influence as the Blues’ captain.
Robert Thomas needs to get going offensively
In his two games so far this season, Robert Thomas has been a ghost. He has no points and no shots on goal. While he’s averaged nearly 20 minutes a game, he hasn’t been able to generate anything offensively.
That’s something that needs to change at once.
He’s the Blues’ most talented offensive player for a reason. And the team will go as he does on the scoresheet.
Yes, a player like Thomas contributes far more to the team than just by scoring goals and racking up points. But you have to think that the Blues are counting on him to lead the way on the scoresheet.
If he doesn’t, it will create a major problem throughout the lineup.
St. Louis can’t just push a button and expect someone else to pick up the slack just like that. Thomas has to be the guy who steps in and takes the reins of the team.
That said, some patience is advised.
The team is going through an early rash of injuries, while the iffy goaltending is something that has to be weighing on the team. And yes, the Blues can’t do what the Avalanche have done, that is, score eight goals to paper over their defensive miscues.
But at the end of the day, Robert Thomas has to be the guy to take the lead. The team will get another chance to assert its dominance as it faces another division rival, the Chicago Blackhawks, on Tuesday night.
Let’s hope that the outcome will be more like the first game of the season, than the second.
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