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Hobbling to a Finish: Breaking Down All the Injuries that the St. Louis Blues Have Suffered in 2015-16

By Patrick Karraker

January 8, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks Corey Perry (10) reacts after colliding with St. Louis Blues goalie Jake Allen (34) during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
January 8, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks Corey Perry (10) reacts after colliding with St. Louis Blues goalie Jake Allen (34) during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 6, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; St Louis Blues center Steve Ott (9) during the third period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. Columbus defeated St Louis 7-1. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; St Louis Blues center Steve Ott (9) during the third period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. Columbus defeated St Louis 7-1. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports /

Steve Ott

35 total games missed due to injury; six games missed from November 7-17 (upper-body injury), 29 games (and counting) missed since December 8 (torn hamstrings)

Ott, a 33-year-old fourth-line forward who has displayed little tangible skill for the past three seasons, clearly has a positive impact on the team despite the fact that he doesn’t do much besides provide physicality and agitate opponents. The Blues have been maddeningly inconsistent during both of the periods where Ott’s been injured this season. With Ott in the lineup, the Blues have a 12-5-4 record (.666 point percentage), while they’re 18-12-5 (.586) without him.

Though Ott provides little more than guys like Dmitrij Jaskin and Scottie Upshall do at the fourth-line left wing position (frankly, he probably provides less), it’s become apparent while he’s been out that the Blues are just a better team when he’s in the lineup. Whether that boost in play comes because of his leadership, or just because of the energy he provides while on the ice, it’s now clear why coach Ken Hitchcock has continued to put Ott in the lineup whenever he’s been healthy over the past few seasons, even with his lack of offensive production.

Next: Magnus Paajarvi

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