The St. Louis Blues have to do a lot more than what they have done so far, as they approach the mid-way point of the season. There are a lot of players that are still on the Injured Reserve list, so there are only a few players that can really step up right now and try and push this team into the direction it needs to go.
One of those players is Robert Thomas. He has always been a main component in this Blues franchise, but this is the most he has been pushed to succeed.
If the Blues want to have any kind of postseason dreams, Thomas is going to be the only way they make it, or don't. Let's talk about it.
Thomas is this team's MVP
There is an argument to be made that this team has a couple of Most Valuable Players. These players are an integral part of this franchise, and they really dictate whether it is a successful season or not. Jordan Binnington, Colton Parayko, and Brayden Schenn are among those kinds of players, but Thomas really stands above all of them.
As the leading scorer for the past two seasons, he is well on his way this season to securing those titles once again. In 34 games this season, Thomas has potted nine goals and added 18 assists for 27 points. That is a very low leading scorer, and one of the main reasons why this team is in the position it is in right now.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs are still within reach, as the Blues trail the Utah Mammoth and the Los Angeles Kings by only three points for both Western Conference wildcard spots. Thomas, without key pieces like Nick Bjugstad, Nathan Walker, Jimmy Snuggerud, Dylan Holloway, and Jordan Kyrou, is going to have to rise to the occasion.
Goaltending and defensive issues will still remain, no matter what happens with the rest of the season. The only thing the Blues can potentially fix is going to be scoring goals. Thomas, who is usually a playmaker and a pass-first type player, will have to add some scoring duties to that. The Blues are the 30th-ranked team in the NHL with only 95 goals forced.
Can Thomas lead the charge for this Blues team with all eyes on him?