Blues At Sabres Morning Open Thread: Will Paul Stastny Return Tonight?

Last night's 4-3 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings showcased problems that the Blues have been having: defensive lapses, looking worn out, and defaulting to "Tarasenko will save us" mode. Said Jay Bouwmeester to Jeremy Rutherford in post-game comments:

"We wish we would have got it out, but it doesn’t change anything," Bouwmeester said. "You’re still trying to kill the penalty. The goal goes off a guy’s stick. It’s not like we gave him a wide open net. Any time you take a penalty in overtime — I don’t think it was a very good call — but that’s the way it goes."

That was on a puck that he failed to clear. That is not something that you want to hear from your top pairing defenseman this early in the season; perhaps it speaks to exhaustion. The Blues have not been able to play with a set line-up for a complete game since opening night. Eventually, something has to give. It almost gave way to the Sabres on Thursday night, and it did give way to the Red Wings on Saturday.

Thankfully, the Blues may be getting some reinforcements tonight in Buffalo, and in a big way:

#stlblues will know after the morning skate whether Paul Stastny will return to the lineup tomorrow. He's traveling to Buffalo & Pittsburgh.

— Lou Korac (@lkorac10) November 22, 2015

This is something that might be a shot of adreneline in the arm of a tired team. Here's hoping Stastny is fully recovered and doesn't wind up a third-line fixture upon his return.

This is your morning open thread. Check back later on for some Road Music from CCR, your GDT, and whatever Stastny updates come through the pipeline. While you're waiting, head over to Die By The Blade and say hi.