My St. Louis Blues player to watch against the Washington Capitals on Thursday is forward Jake Neighbours.
It's no secret that Neighbours had success playing on the top line with Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich in the past, and the 21-year-old will get that opportunity again tonight against the Capitals.
When Neighbours was put on the Thomas line Nov. 26 against the Chicago Blackhawks, he started off with a bang with two goals, and had five goals in eight games through Dec. 9 and also had 26 shots on goal, averaging 3.25 per game.
In the 14 games since, Neighbours has lit the lamp just three times and had 28 shots on goal, good for an average of two per game but eight of those came in one Jan. 3 against Vancouver.
With interim coach Drew Bannister looking for balance, it will be an opportunity for Neighbours to provide the net front presence playing with Thomas and Buchnevich will require in his first career game against the Capitals and should give him a boost in not only opportunities but minutes as well.
