Blues’ Pavel Buchnevich leaves Wednesday’s game vs. Devils with lower-body injury

St. Louis Blues‘ forward Pavel Buchnevich left Wednesday’s game against the New Jersey Devils with a lower-body injury and will not return, the team announced.

The incident occurred mid-way through the second period, when Buchnevich fell awkwardly in the slot and slid into the Blues’ crease. He managed to limp off the ice under his own power and continues to be evaluated by team doctors. Buchnevich finished Wednesday’s game with 8:54 of ice-time and one assist, which came on Robert Thomas’ goal nine seconds into the game. The Blues would score three goals in the first period, and have found quite the spark playing for new head coach Jim Montgomery.

As for Buchnevich, the 29-year-old native of Cherepovets, Russia has six goals and nine assists for 14 points through 24 games. Entering Wednesday’s contest against the Devils, Buchnevich was averaging 18:54 of ice-time per game, a staple on St. Louis’ top power-play unit, and also helps out as a depth penalty killer.

In Montgomery’s debut behind the Blues’ bench on Monday against the New York Rangers, Buchnevich played 16:51, as St. Louis was able to get the job done late on Broadway, securing a 5-2 win for their new head coach.

The Blues entered Wednesday’s action with a 10-12-1 record, good for sixth in the Central Division and on the outside looking in on either wild card position. GM Doug Armstrong is hopeful bringing in Montgomery, who is a familiar voice for the team, can help get his hockey club back on track, and get the Blues feeling good about themselves heading into American Thanksgiving.

Losing Buchnevich for any significant amount of time will be a big blow to the Blues, a team that ranks 28th in the NHL averaging 2.48 goals per game.

The Blues welcome the Philadelphia Flyers to town on Saturday night.