If there is any good news for the St. Louis Blues, it’s this: there are only 11 more games to go. In the worst season in franchise history, the team learned that captain Dallas Drake is gone for the rest of the season after breaking two ribs and tearing cartilage in Wednesday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Blackhawks in Chicago. That loss was their eighth straight.
There are now eight players on the Blues’ injured reserve list. That list includes goaltender Curtis Sanford and defensemen Barret Jackman and Eric Brewer.
The Blues will fill Drake’s spot with 25-year old right winger Jon DiSalvatore, from their affiliate in Peoria. He played in five games with the Blues earlier this season, scoring a goal.
St. Louis has a record of 20-38-13 and will miss the playoffs after qualifying in 25 consecutive seasons.