Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post Dispatch confirmed Friday evening that Blues forward Andy McDonald is likely to return to the lineup Sunday night when the Blues face off against San Jose.
McDonald has been out since October 13th after he was diagnosed with a concussion for the second time in less than a year. His return comes at a critical point in the season as the Blues look to remain a top team in the Western Conference.
The Blues and fans alike will be ecstatic to see McDonald back in the lineup as his creativity will certainly help improve the league’s 28th ranked power play and the Blues’ total offensive production in general. Andy McDonald will also help the team in shootouts which they desperately need as their 2-6 shootout record shows.
Speed and creativity are two things that McDonald will bring with him in his return. Not many players can move the puck up the ice and “push the pace” as well as McDonald can. He makes everyone around him look better with his nifty play, and his creativity is something the Blues offense has been lacking this year.
McDonald will find himself in a top 6 role upon returning, and was practicing on a line with Patrik Berglund and Chris Stewart on Friday. Which line he will officially join when he returns, remains to be seen.
The Blues have had their share of players concussed this year, and are currently without Alex Steen who is still experiencing symptoms from his concussion.
Steen is not expected back any time soon, so it will be a while before the Blues are healthy, but getting Andy McDonald back will be a good start.