The St. Louis Blues are now 11-14-7 after being blown out by the Nashville Predators last night, losing 7-2. They're not quite last in the NHL by points, but they're in striking distance. The bad goaltending, the pileup of injuries, and everything else, it's a season from hell any way you slice it.
Tonight, on the second half of a back-to-back, the Blues welcome the Chicago Blackhawks, who have surprised on the back of a star-making turn by phenom Connor Bedard and a dynamite, lights-out rookie season from goaltender Spencer Knight. With their 13-11-6 record, the Blackhawks are in the thick of a wildcard race. While their winning record may be unsustainable (they're below average in most 5-on-5 metrics and had been riding quite a PDO bender), the Blackhawks are plucky enough to give the Blues some fits. Here's three players to watch tonight.
Robby Fabbri
While the loss to the Predators was a drag, it was Fabbri's first game back with the Blues--and he scored a point, an assist, early in the second period to put the Blues in striking distance before the wheels fell off. This will be his first game in St. Louis since rejoining the team, and it'll be nice to see him back in a Blues sweater.
Robert Thomas
Has the real Robert Thomas finally returned? Thomas has three goals and four points in the Blues' last three games, and if there's any hope of the Blues turning the season around, they need Thomas performing like the first-line caliber center he's expected to be. Watch for him to score a third goal in a row, and officially make it a streak.
Philip Broberg
It's been a disappointing season for Dylan Holloway after last year's breakout, but his offer sheet partner Broberg has been a small bright spot for the Blues. Broberg had two points last night against Nashville, both assists, and his 23:16 average time on ice leads all Blues skaters this season. A lot has gone wrong for the Blues, but Broberg is showing he's a legitimate top-four--and maybe even top-pair--defenseman.