Blues fans were looking forward to the return on Vladimir Tarasenko since he left the lineup in October. His shoulder injury, and then shoulder surgery, was a focal point for discussion. “Just wait for Tarasenko to get back when the playoffs start! He’s had extra time to heal!”
After several games where his presence on the ice was negligible, fans started to have a sneaking suspicion that he wasn’t 100% yet, that he was holding back play. He sat out Sunday’s game against the Canucks, and again, he sat out Monday’s win.