"You want some grit, you want a shooter and you want a puck possession guy (on your lines)," said Blues Head Coach Craig Berube. "I think with the Thomas line, you've got two puck possession guys - (Thomas and) you've got Buchy, too. He's got great vision, great composure with the puck. I think what makes it work is Thomas, his cut backs, working the back of the net, he either finds Vladi for a shot or he finds Buchy, and he has composure with it, hangs onto it and does some good things with it. The puck possession is real high with that line, they have it pretty much the whole time. And you've got a finisher on the line. For me, that's what I like about the line. There's very good chemistry with Buchy and Vladi. They're real good friends and they enjoy playing with each other."
That line will look to lead the away again Thursday in Montreal, where the St. Louis Blues seek a third consecutive win as they continue a four-game road trip (6 p.m. CT, BSMW, 101 ESPN).
Fifteen players skated Thursday during an optional morning skate, including Jordan Kyrou and Ivan Barbashev, who missed Wednesday's practice due to maintenance days. Berube said he expects both to play.
