Saad was back on the ice for Saturday's morning skate but will not Saturday. The plan is to get Saad ready for Wednesday's game vs. the Kings. With Saad still out, James Neal will remain in the Blues' top-6.
Buchnevich missed the Blues' game in Vegas and vs. the Kings but will return to the lineup on Monday. Buchnevich scored one goal with one assist in his first two games with the Blues.
Saad will be unavailable for Saturday's game vs. the Kings due to COVID protocols. With Saad out, Klim Kostin skated on the top line in Friday's practice and Kyle Clifford is expected to draw into the lineup.
Buchnevich will miss Wednesday's game in Vegas and Saturday's game vs. the Kings. He will be eligible to return Monday vs. the Kings and is expected to be replaced by James Neal in the lineup on Wednesday.
Thomas followed up a breakout 2020 season with an injury-filled, disappointing 2021 campaign. He finished the season with just 12 points (3G / 9A) in 33 regular-season games but had a better showing in the Blues' short playoff run. Entering his fourth season, Thomas is still stuck behind Ryan O'Reilly and Brayden Schenn on the depth chart, so it's hard to envision him providing anything more than the 0.6 points-per-game we saw from him two years ago.