Blues' Pavel Buchnevich in concussion protocol, out Thursday vs. Rangers

The St. Louis Blues will be without a key figure when they welcome the New York Rangers to town on Thursday evening. 

Per the NHL's website, forward Pavel Buchnevich won't be available for St. Louis ahead of the weekend because of concussion protocol. As mentioned by The Athletic, Blues coach Craig Berube told reporters Wednesday that Buchnevich would "probably not" take the ice Thursday following a hit delivered by Ottawa Senators forward Austin Watson in the third period of Tuesday's contest that Ottawa won 4-1. 

"He feels a little bit better today," Berube said of Buchnevich on Thursday. "That's basically all I can tell with you that right now. ... We lose a real good player, I think, in all aspects of the game. He's in penalty kill, power play, 5-on-5 play, he's been a very good player, a 200-foot player."

Buchnevich did not participate in Wednesday's practice session and didn't skate Thursday morning. The 26-year-old is considered day-to-day.

According to ESPN stats, Buchnevich is third on the Blues with 46 points, tied for second with 19 goals, and fourth with 27 assists on the season.  

St. Louis began Thursday second in the Central Division standings with 71 points, two points ahead of the third-place Minnesota Wild. The Blues play at the Nashville Predators on Saturday afternoon.