Robert Bortuzzo returns to Blues’ lineup tonight against Avalanche

Good news, everyone!

Ok, you should be forgiven if your mind went directly to Dr. Farnsworth there for a second - what horrible announcement about the Blues do I have today? Well, unless you’re a Jordan Schmaltz fan, it’s actually not bad. Robert Bortuzzo is back in the lineup tonight as the Blues take on the Avalanche.

Bortuzzo (whose nickname is oddly “Bobo” and not “Bort,” proving that no one on the Blues is a Simpsons fan) has missed the last 16 games and the Blues have been generally terrible in that time. He hasn’t played since being injured in October 20th’s 4-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Remember that game in October when it still felt like the Blues could actually right the ship? Good times. I’m not saying that the Blues’ success is tied explicitly to Bortuzzo, but I am saying that the team plays better when they know that there is a big body out there willing to step up when needed. At least one player playing like they give a damn out there may well be contagious.