Full Breakdown
St. Louis Blues Welcome Back Jake Neighbours Ahead of Philadelphia Matchup
11/22/2025, 1:33:01 AM
Jake Neighbours' Early Return from Injury
The St. Louis Blues are set to benefit from the early return of forward Jake Neighbours, who will rejoin the lineup for their game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night. Neighbours had been sidelined for 12 games due to a right leg injury sustained from a blocked shot on October 25 against the Detroit Red Wings. Initially, his recovery timeline suggested he would be reevaluated in early December, but after recent skating sessions, it was determined he was ready to play sooner than expected.
Blues Head Coach Jim Montgomery confirmed Neighbours' activation from injured reserve, stating, “It’s good news. He was our leading goal scorer when he left the lineup.” Neighbours will be positioned on a line with Robert Thomas and Jimmy Snuggerud, a combination he expressed excitement about, noting their previous success together.
Neighbours' Perspective on His Return
In discussing his return, Neighbours emphasized the importance of being a team player and his eagerness to contribute. He stated, “I take a lot of pride in being a good teammate... to be away from that for a month was very difficult.” His commitment to the team was evident as he described the decision to return as a “no-brainer” once he felt physically ready.
Montgomery praised Neighbours' character, highlighting the impact of his presence in the locker room and on the ice. Neighbours' return comes at a crucial time for the Blues, who have struggled with a record of 3-5-4 in his absence.
Impact on the Blues' Lineup
With Neighbours back, the Blues have made adjustments to their roster. Forward Alexandre Texier has been designated as a non-roster player after struggling to find consistent playing time, while Mathieu Joseph will be a healthy scratch for the game. Joel Hofer is confirmed to start in goal against the Flyers, with Jordan Binnington serving as the backup.
The projected lineup for the Blues includes:
- Jake Neighbours - Robert Thomas - Jimmy Snuggerud
- Brayden Schenn - Dalibor Dvorsky - Pavel Buchnevich
- Dylan Holloway - Pius Suter - Jordan Kyrou
- Alexey Toropchenko - Oskar Sundqvist - Nathan Walker
Official Statements & Responses
Jim Montgomery remarked on Neighbours' character and the significance of his return, stating, “The little things make up real success in the locker room, on the bench and on the ice.” Neighbours himself expressed his readiness and excitement to help the team, saying, “I felt really good at practice... I’m excited for that and ready to go.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “Yeah, it's good news. He was our leading goal scorer when he left the lineup. The character, how hard he is, all that stuff, it really matters to the little things that make up real success in a locker room, on the bench and on the ice.” — Jim Montgomery, Head Coach, St. Louis Blues
- “I take a lot of pride in being a good teammate, I love being around them, I love competing with them.” — Jake Neighbours, Forward, St. Louis Blues
- “Yeah, if I'm going to be back in the lineup, I've got to be comfortable doing my job.” — Jake Neighbours, Forward, St. Louis Blues
The return of Jake Neighbours is anticipated to provide a significant boost to the St. Louis Blues as they continue their road trip, aiming to improve their performance and standings in the NHL.
