While Johansson was taking a shot, Barbashev caught him in the head with his shoulder and the NHL deemed it was worthy of a one-game suspension. Robert Thomas, if he’s healthy, will likely replace Barbashev in Game 6, but if he can’t play it will be Robby Fabbri.
Barbashev went to Chicago during the Blues bye week but returns to the St. Louis with five points (1G / 4A) in 17 games with the Blues this season. During his time in the AHL, he has 10 points (5G / 5A) in 20 games.
The Blues have the next six days off so Barbashev will head to the AHL to keep playing. Barbashev has split his time between the AHL and NHL this season, picking up five points (1G / 4A) with the Blues and eight points (4G / 4A) in 18 games with the Wolves.
Barbashev unsurprisingly cracked the Blues roster, but was surprisingly scratched in the first two contests. This afternoon he will replace Oskar Sundqvist as the third-line centre and will look to build off of the 12 points (5G / 7A) he had in 30 games with the Blues last season.
Barbashev has been a healthy scratch for the last three games, but will replace Jori Lehtera in the lineup on Saturday. Barbashev has just two goals and one assist in his first 14 career NHL games.
Barbashev had two goals and one assist in 12 games during his call-up. The Blues bye week starts today, so Barbashev and Magnus Paajarvi have been returned to Chicago, but are expected to return to the Blues before their game on Sunday.
Barbashev, 21, was a second round pick (No. 33 overall) in 2014 and this is his first NHL call-up. With Kyle Brodziak out for five weeks, Barbashev will get a chance to make his NHL debut. The Russian centre has picked up 19 goals and 18 assists (37 points) in 44 games with Chicago this season.
