COLUMN: Blues All-Star Rob Thomas is St. Louis’ ‘Ovechkin’

On the day it was announced that he would be an All-Star, St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas applied some affirmation to that honor by scoring the game-winning goal in a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday, Jan. 4, in St. Louis.

“I think it’s a really good example of why he’s an All-Star,” Blues interim head coach Drew Bannister said.

Thomas’ team-leading 16th goal came early in the third period. He also assisted in Colton Parayko’s goal in the second period which tied the game at 1-1. He’s tied for 22nd in the league in points (39).

“He’s like Ovechkin,” said Blues forward Pavel Buchnevich of Thomas, “our Ovechkin.”

It’s quite the complement for a player as young as Thomas, who is still 24 years old despite being in his 6th NHL season. However, since the departure of veteran center Ryan O’Reilly, who played the last five years in St. Louis and was a key part of the Blues’ first Stanley Cup championship in 2019, the role of the first line center was Thomas’ and his alone.

“He doesn’t get credit for playing against top lines every night,” Buchnevich said.

Thomas was drafted by the Blues in the first round in 2017 and became a rookie during their run to the Stanley Cup, along with goalie Jordan Binnington, who only allowed Vancouver’s lone goal that came within the first two minutes of the game. From the beginning, Thomas was counted on to assist in his teammates’ goals. He didn’t get 20 goals in a season until 2021-22, St. Louis’ last appearance in the playoffs.

“It’s been fun to watch him grow over his career,” Parayko said. “We’re lucky to have a player like him.”

Now at this rate, he might surpass 20 by the time he plays in the All-Star Game in February.

“I think he’s becoming a more mature, professional hockey player,” Bannister said, “and understanding what he needs to do as a player to give our team opportunity for success.”

One player from each team is chosen for the the NHL All-Star initial rosters, which were announced by the league on Thursday. This was an extra special moment for Thomas, who gets to enjoy his first All-Star experience at his hometown of Toronto.

“That’s something that’s a pretty special moment in your career and something that I’m pretty excited for,” Thomas said.

The Canucks came into Thursday’s game as one of three division leaders with 51 points, only one short of the President’s Trophy frontrunner, the Boston Bruins. They are also the model of efficiency, leading the NHL in goals per game (3.84) despite taking the fifth least amount of shots this season.

Yet inside the walls of the Enterprise Center, anyone can lose to the Blues, who have a 12-6-0 record at home despite being sixth in the Central Division standings. Mired on the outside looking in with the Oilers, Flames and Kraken with 39 points, the Blues (19-17-1) seemed destined to spend the rest of the season trying to catch up to the Coyotes (40 points) and even O’Riley’s Predators (43) for the wild card spots.

The Blues will continue to welcome some of the top teams in the NHL throughout the month of January. After traveling to Carolina on Saturday, Jan. 6, the Blues will host the Stanley Cup runner-up Florida Panthers on Tuesday, Jan. 9.