Thomas will be out for the Blues for at least six weeks due to a broken ankle

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Missouri – Robert Thomas will miss the St. Louis Blues for at least six weeks with a broken right ankle.

The center forward suffered the injury on Tuesday in a 3-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. Thomas, who had two assists in the game, blocked a shot by Jets defenseman Neal Pionk at 1:32 of the third period. He played two more shifts, including getting an assist on Brandon Saad's second goal of the game at 5:15, but missed the final at 11:58 after taking a faceoff.

Thomas, who ranks second in scoring with six points (one goal, five assists) in seven games for the Blues this season, was given an X-ray after the game and the injury was revealed.

He was placed on injured reserve by St. Louis (4-3-0) on Wednesday.

“It's not the news you want when you walk into the stadium this morning, but he's our best player,” Blues captain Brayden Schenn said. “He's a guy who drives the bus for us, but at the end of the day it's part of the game and we're going to need everyone to step up, myself included, and we've got to do it together.”

“There are more opportunities for boys to make an impact out there. You never want to see anyone go down, let alone your star player, but this is a chance for everyone to come together and play for each other.”

At Wednesday's practice, Schenn took over the role of No. 1 center with Saad and Oskar Sundqvist, who was a placeholder for Jake Neighbors (maintenance), who did not run.

Thomas, 25, led the Blues with 86 points (26 goals, 60 assists) last season, playing in all 82 games.

“Obviously it’s inherently difficult to replace a player like that,” said St. Louis defenseman Colton Poolman. “I don't know if 'replace' is the right word. I think there's an opportunity for guys to step in. I think this has been a strength of our team for a long time.

“We have good depth. Guys are able to step in and move in the right direction together as a group, and the strength is in everyone putting in the effort together and fighting together, (and) good things will happen.”

Thomas is not only St. Louis' top center, but also one of the best power play players and one of the best penalty killers.

Along with Schenn are forwards Pavel Buchnevich, Dylan Holloway, Radek Faksa and Sundqvist, who was activated from injured reserve on Wednesday after recovering from a torn right ACL suffered on March 25 against the Vegas Golden Knights had tightened, try to close the gap.

“You can’t make up for the player, but as a group we can make up for it,” Blues coach Drew Bannister said. “It's not going to be a single player, it's not going to be a single player, it's going to be the 20 guys in the lineup pulling together and coming together as a team.”…I think this is a really good opportunity for us as To take action as a team and really come together.

“Unfortunate news for the team and also for Robby. As far as timing goes, I think he played a great game (Tuesday night) up until his injury, but it's a great opportunity for our team to build as a team and once we get him back it'll be four to six weeks but it is important for us. We will need people to take on specific roles. There are many people there who are capable of different things. It will be a team effort, not an individual player. It will be a group of us pulling together.”