The St. Louis Blues are getting an injection of star power into their lineup on Saturday night.
Vladimir Tarasenko has been activated from the team’s injured reserve and is expected to make his season debut against the Los Angeles Kings, the second of their back-to-back meetings, after recovering from his third shoulder surgery in as many years.
The 29-year-old sniper told the team’s website it was tough to be sidelined for such an extended period, but it was an injury that needed to get fixed.
“The doctors in Vail, (Colo.), did a great job, the Blues doctors did a great job, everybody was on the same page. We worked a lot and I’m finally able to play,” said Tarasenko.
“The three surgeries is in the past, there is some speculation still, but it was a different injury, not the same injury three times. Now it’s healthy, I feel strong and ready to come back and can’t wait until I step on the ice.”
Tarasenko underwent his latest procedure on his left shoulder in September and he was expected to be re-evaluated after five months.
The long-time Blues winger finished 2019-20 with just 10 points through 10 games. One year prior, he was instrumental in leading the franchise to its first Stanley Cup title, posting his fifth-straight 30-goal season alongside 68 points through 76 games, and adding 11 goals and 17 points in the post-season.
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