NHL · January 16, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning @ St. Louis Blues
Free LineCrush game report for Tampa Bay Lightning @ St. Louis Blues on January 16, 2026, with matchup analysis and pick ideas generated for the daily slate. Reports can update as lineups, injuries, and odds develop, so confirm time-sensitive details before acting.
Matchup Analysis
Tampa Bay's Key Absences at Center
Brayden Point was placed on injured reserve on January 13 and will miss his second consecutive game with a lower-body injury, forcing the Lightning to rely on depth options like Dominic James, Zemgus Girgensons, and Yanni Gourde at center. Point is week-to-week and expected to be sidelined until at least February 5.
Blues' Injury Uncertainty with Broberg
Defenseman Philip Broberg is a game-time decision after missing one game due to concussion protocol following a hit from Mark Stone on Saturday. Broberg practiced fully on Thursday and Friday, and coach Jim Montgomery indicated he would play Broberg if cleared, which would provide significant relief to the blue line.
Robert Thomas Loss a Major Blow for St. Louis
The Blues placed center Robert Thomas on injured reserve with a lower-body injury and will re-evaluate him in two weeks, sidelining their leading scorer with 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 42 games. Thomas has not played since January 11 and aggravated an injury that first occurred on December 31.
Victor Hedman's Absence Impacts Tampa Bay Defense
Defenseman Victor Hedman underwent elbow surgery on December 15 and is expected to miss time until early February, forcing the Lightning to rely on depth defensemen like J.J. Moser, Erik Cernak, and Darren Raddysh for heavy minutes.
St. Louis Forced to Find Depth Scoring
With Thomas, Mathieu Joseph (elbow infection), Dylan Holloway (high ankle sprain), and Pius Suter (high ankle sprain) all on injured reserve, the Blues face significant scoring depth challenges and will need secondary contributors to step up against Tampa Bay.
Pick Ideas
Blues Depth Scoring Under Pressure
Back Under on Blues team goals as they manage injuries to Thomas, Joseph, Holloway, and Suter, forcing reliance on depth forwards in a matchup against a structured Lightning defense.
Lightning Secondary Centers to Struggle
With Point out and center depth questioned, consider under on Lightning offensive production as James, Girgensons, and Gourde handle primary center duties without their leading pivot.
Defensive Intensity Favors Experience
Both teams are dealing with blue-line absences (Hedman for Tampa, potential Broberg uncertainty for St. Louis), potentially leading to a tighter, lower-scoring defensive battle.
Broberg Return as Key Catalyst
If Broberg is cleared and plays, monitor Blues first-period performance as his return would provide immediate relief and potentially lift team confidence and penalty-kill effectiveness.