1st-place Blues expecting boost from Bouwmeester's return

The St. Louis Blues activated defenseman Jay Bouwmeester off injured reserve, making him available for Tuesday's game against Edmonton. The veteran has been out since training camp with a fractured ankle.

Despite Bouwmeester's absence, the Blues sit first in the Western Conference and second overall with 31 points through 21 games, and the addition of a defenseman with over 1,000 games to his credit will certainly provide a boost.

"A quality player like 'Bo,' he's an important piece to our game," Blues head coach Mike Yeo said via the team's website. "He's a guy, with his skating ability, his defensive game, he does so many little things that help you win hockey games."

The Blues are allowing only 2.62 goals per game so far this season - good for fifth in the NHL - and Bouwmeester's steady presence should only help the cause.

"He plays both ends of the ice, and he's a guy that eats a lot minutes, too," said captain Alex Pietrangelo. "We've been doing well on the back end, but when you bring a guy with that kind of experience, it sends a calming influence throughout the lineup. He can really control the game and I'm looking forward to having him back."

Through 321 games with the Blues, Bouwmeester has registered a Corsi rating of 50.2 at even strength while regularly beginning his shifts in the defensive zone - a testament to his responsibility with the puck.

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