The St. Louis Blues have placed their leading scorer, Robert Thomas, on injured reserve with a lower-body injury. The team announced the move on Thursday, stating that the 26-year-old center will be re-evaluated in two weeks. Thomas, who has been a key offensive contributor this season, missed the Blues’ most recent game Tuesday night at Carolina and did not practice Thursday.
This injury comes at a challenging time for St. Louis, which is fighting to climb back into playoff contention in the Western Conference. With Thomas out, the team faces an uphill battle, particularly against a hot Tampa Bay Lightning squad on Friday night.
Injury details and timeline
Thomas initially suffered the lower-body injury on December 31 in Colorado. He gutted it out and played through the discomfort for the next two weeks. However, the injury worsened, leading to his placement on IR.
Blues president of hockey operations and general manager Doug Armstrong confirmed the nature of the injury as lower-body. Head coach Jim Montgomery had already ruled Thomas out for the upcoming game against Tampa Bay, which enters the matchup on an impressive 11-game winning streak.
Prior to the IR placement, Montgomery described Thomas as day-to-day after he skipped practice ahead of the Carolina game. Reports from St. Louis Post-Dispatch noted the re-aggravation, highlighting the forward’s resilience in recent games despite the pain.
The official NHL.com Blues lineup projection from January 13 also listed Thomas as unavailable, underscoring the ongoing concern.
Medical evaluations will continue, but the two-week timeline suggests Thomas could return around late January, assuming no setbacks.
Thomas’s impact this season
Robert Thomas has been the Blues’ top playmaker in 2025-26. He leads the team with 22 assists and 33 points through 47 games. Thomas is tied for the scoring lead with 11 goals.
His production builds on strong previous campaigns. Last season, he posted 81 points, following a career-high 86 in 2023-24. At 26, Thomas is entering his prime as a reliable two-way center.
Key stats for Thomas this year:
- Goals: 11 (tied for team lead)
- Assists: 22 (team lead)
- Points: 33 (team lead)
- Average time on ice: ~19 minutes per game
Without his vision and puck control, the Blues’ top lines lose significant firepower. Thomas often drives play through the neutral zone and sets up teammates like Pavel Buchnevich and Brayden Schenn.
Fans and analysts alike view him as indispensable. “Thomas makes things go,” noted one report from earlier in the season.
Challenges for the Blues without Thomas
St. Louis sits 13th in the 16-team Western Conference with an 18-21-8 record. They trail the second wild-card spot by five points, making every game critical.
The injury bug has hit hard lately. Defenseman Philip Broberg is also day-to-day with a concussion, and others like Mathieu Joseph have dealt with issues. Nick Bjugstad’s recent return provides some relief on the third line.
Montgomery praised Bjugstad’s “heaviness” and faceoff ability, which could help fill some gaps. Projected lineups shift Pius Suter or others to top-six center roles.
Facing Tampa Bay looms large. The Lightning’s streak adds pressure, and without Thomas, St. Louis must rely on depth scoring.
Historical parallels exist. In 2023-24, the Blues overcame injuries to Robert Thomas early on but surged late. This time, consistency is key amid a tight wild-card race.
Looking ahead to recovery and playoffs
Thomas’s absence tests the Blues’ depth and resolve. Adjustments like promoting prospects or tweaking lines will be essential over the next two weeks.
Armstrong’s statement emphasized re-evaluation, hinting at optimism for a full recovery. Montgomery’s updates suggest the team prepared for this scenario.
For St. Louis, climbing the standings means wins against top teams like Tampa. A strong stretch could position them well for Thomas’s return.
Ultimately, Thomas’s health could define the Blues’ postseason hopes. Five points from a wild-card spot keeps them in the hunt—what happens next will shape their season.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.