A pivotal moment is approaching for the St. Louis Blues as they prepare to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning this Friday at 7 p.m. (broadcasted on FanDuel Sports Network and 101 ESPN). The status of defenseman Philip Broberg remains uncertain and will be determined shortly before the game, as he is currently a game-time decision.
Broberg’s situation has been concerning since he sustained an injury during last Saturday’s match against the Vegas Golden Knights, where he took a hit from Mark Stone that forced him to leave the game prematurely. Subsequently, he was unable to participate in Tuesday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes. However, there is a glimmer of hope; he did join his teammates during Thursday’s practice and today’s morning skate. Still, Blues Head Coach Jim Montgomery has indicated that Broberg must clear one final hurdle related to the NHL's concussion protocol before he can take to the ice.
In Coach Montgomery's own words, "If he can play, I'm playing him," which underscores the team's desire to have him back in the lineup as quickly as possible.
The urgency of Broberg’s potential return is heightened by recent developments regarding another key player. Forward Robert Thomas has been placed on injured reserve due to a lower-body injury and will need to be reassessed in two weeks, as reported in the Blues' official announcement (https://www.nhl.com/blues/news/thomas-placed-on-injured-reserve).
Addressing the team’s resilience, Montgomery emphasized the need for the players to replicate the passion and spirit they exhibited in their previous game. He stated, "That's the way you overcome [injuries]... Everyone's been dealing with injuries this year, so it's no excuse. You just have to find the resolve from within."
On the morning of the game, the Blues held a practice session at Enterprise Center, although they did not finalize their lineup at that time. Joel Hofer appeared to be the starting goalie, suggesting he will likely take the net for tonight's matchup. The projected lineup below reflects the practice from Thursday, but it will be updated following warmups to incorporate any changes based on Broberg's availability.
