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Thomas scores twice and the Blues beat the Predators 7-4

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Thomas scores twice and the Blues beat the Predators 7-4
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Thomas scores twice and the Blues beat the Predators 7-4

2024-12-28 12:22 Last Updated At:12:30

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Robert Thomas scored twice, Jordan Kyrou had a goal and an assist, and the St. Louis Blues beat the Nashville Predators 7-4 on Friday night.

Joel Hofer made 26 saves for the Blues, and defenseman Cam Fowler added a goal and two assists.

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Nashville Predators' Jonathan Marchessault, left, is congratulated by teammates Steven Stamkos, center, and Ryan O'Reilly (90) after scoring during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators' Jonathan Marchessault, left, is congratulated by teammates Steven Stamkos, center, and Ryan O'Reilly (90) after scoring during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators' Filip Forsberg (9) controls the puck as St. Louis Blues' Brandon Saad (20) defends during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators' Filip Forsberg (9) controls the puck as St. Louis Blues' Brandon Saad (20) defends during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues' Jake Neighbours (63) and Nashville Predators' Ryan O'Reilly (90) vie for control of the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues' Jake Neighbours (63) and Nashville Predators' Ryan O'Reilly (90) vie for control of the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators' Adam Wilsby (83) looks to pass the puck while under pressure from St. Louis Blues' Oskar Sundqvist (70) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators' Adam Wilsby (83) looks to pass the puck while under pressure from St. Louis Blues' Oskar Sundqvist (70) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators goaltender Justus Annunen (29) stops the puck as Nashville Predators' Luke Schenn (2) and St. Louis Blues' Brayden Schenn (10) battle during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators goaltender Justus Annunen (29) stops the puck as Nashville Predators' Luke Schenn (2) and St. Louis Blues' Brayden Schenn (10) battle during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues' Colton Parayko (55) clears the puck while under pressure from Nashville Predators' Zachary L'Heureux (68) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues' Colton Parayko (55) clears the puck while under pressure from Nashville Predators' Zachary L'Heureux (68) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators' Adam Wilsby (83) and St. Louis Blues' Mathieu Joseph (71) vie for control of the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators' Adam Wilsby (83) and St. Louis Blues' Mathieu Joseph (71) vie for control of the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators' Steven Stamkos, second from the left, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis BluesFriday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators' Steven Stamkos, second from the left, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis BluesFriday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues' Philip Broberg (6) controls the puck while under pressure from Nashville Predators' Michael McCarron (47) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues' Philip Broberg (6) controls the puck while under pressure from Nashville Predators' Michael McCarron (47) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer (30) reaches for the buck as it flies past the gaol during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer (30) reaches for the buck as it flies past the gaol during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues' Jordan Kyrou (25) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues' Jordan Kyrou (25) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators' Jeremy Lauzon (3) and St. Louis Blues' Tyler Tucker (75) fight during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators' Jeremy Lauzon (3) and St. Louis Blues' Tyler Tucker (75) fight during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues' Robert Thomas (18) shoots on goal while under pressure from Nashville Predators' Adam Wilsby (83) and Roman Josi (59) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues' Robert Thomas (18) shoots on goal while under pressure from Nashville Predators' Adam Wilsby (83) and Roman Josi (59) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Zack Bolduc, Philip Broberg and Colton Parayko also scored for St. Louis. Dylan Holloway had two assists.

Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault each had a goal and an assist for Nashville. Mark Jankowski and Nick Blankenburg also scored.

Predators goalie Juuse Saros was pulled in the second period after allowing five goals on 15 shots.

Thomas scored the first goal of the game and got another one on a power play at 15:10 of the third period off assists from Kyrou and Fowler to make it 6-4.

Parayko added an empty-netter with 1:15 remaining.

St. Louis scored on its first two shots. Thomas got an unassisted goal 1:20 into the game when he picked off a pass by Gustav Nyquist and scored with a wrist shot. Bolduc then fired in a slap shot from the right circle at 2:47.

Predators: Saros was pulled after he poked the puck directly to Broberg, who scored unassisted from the left circle at 15:29 of the second to make it 5-3. Justus Annunen replaced Saros and made 12 saves on 13 shots.

Blues: Hofer improved to 5-0-1 in his last seven appearances. He is 8-3-1 this season.

Fowler gave St. Louis a 4-2 lead at 18:05 of the first with a slap shot from inside the blue line for his first goal of the season. St. Louis acquired him from Anaheim in a Dec. 14 trade.

Thomas has 18 points in his last 12 games (six goals, 12 assists).

The Predators play Monday at Winnipeg. The Blues host Buffalo on Sunday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Nashville Predators' Jonathan Marchessault, left, is congratulated by teammates Steven Stamkos, center, and Ryan O'Reilly (90) after scoring during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators' Jonathan Marchessault, left, is congratulated by teammates Steven Stamkos, center, and Ryan O'Reilly (90) after scoring during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators' Filip Forsberg (9) controls the puck as St. Louis Blues' Brandon Saad (20) defends during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators' Filip Forsberg (9) controls the puck as St. Louis Blues' Brandon Saad (20) defends during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues' Jake Neighbours (63) and Nashville Predators' Ryan O'Reilly (90) vie for control of the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues' Jake Neighbours (63) and Nashville Predators' Ryan O'Reilly (90) vie for control of the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators' Adam Wilsby (83) looks to pass the puck while under pressure from St. Louis Blues' Oskar Sundqvist (70) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators' Adam Wilsby (83) looks to pass the puck while under pressure from St. Louis Blues' Oskar Sundqvist (70) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators goaltender Justus Annunen (29) stops the puck as Nashville Predators' Luke Schenn (2) and St. Louis Blues' Brayden Schenn (10) battle during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators goaltender Justus Annunen (29) stops the puck as Nashville Predators' Luke Schenn (2) and St. Louis Blues' Brayden Schenn (10) battle during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues' Colton Parayko (55) clears the puck while under pressure from Nashville Predators' Zachary L'Heureux (68) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues' Colton Parayko (55) clears the puck while under pressure from Nashville Predators' Zachary L'Heureux (68) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators' Adam Wilsby (83) and St. Louis Blues' Mathieu Joseph (71) vie for control of the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators' Adam Wilsby (83) and St. Louis Blues' Mathieu Joseph (71) vie for control of the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators' Steven Stamkos, second from the left, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis BluesFriday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators' Steven Stamkos, second from the left, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis BluesFriday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues' Philip Broberg (6) controls the puck while under pressure from Nashville Predators' Michael McCarron (47) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues' Philip Broberg (6) controls the puck while under pressure from Nashville Predators' Michael McCarron (47) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer (30) reaches for the buck as it flies past the gaol during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer (30) reaches for the buck as it flies past the gaol during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues' Jordan Kyrou (25) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues' Jordan Kyrou (25) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators' Jeremy Lauzon (3) and St. Louis Blues' Tyler Tucker (75) fight during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators' Jeremy Lauzon (3) and St. Louis Blues' Tyler Tucker (75) fight during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues' Robert Thomas (18) shoots on goal while under pressure from Nashville Predators' Adam Wilsby (83) and Roman Josi (59) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues' Robert Thomas (18) shoots on goal while under pressure from Nashville Predators' Adam Wilsby (83) and Roman Josi (59) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Chuba Hubbard's season is over.

The Panthers placed their leading rusher on injured reserve Saturday with a strained calf.

Hubbard was limited in practice on Friday with a knee injury and was listed as questionable to play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After practice, Hubbard complained of pain and had an MRI, which revealed a grade two calf strain, according to the team.

Hubbard ran for 1,195 yards — the fourth-most in franchise history — and 10 touchdowns this season. He is sixth in the league in yards rushing.

He becomes the third Panthers running back to be placed on injured reserve this season, joining Miles Sanders and rookie Jonathan Brooks.

The move likely means Mike Boone will start Sunday against Tampa Bay, with Raheem Blackshear expected to see reps as well.

Hubbard finished his season last week by running for 152 yards and two touchdowns, including a 21-yard score in overtime as the Panthers beat the Arizona Cardinals 36-30. He was named NFC offensive player of the week.

He also caught 43 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown this season.

NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard leaves the field after scoring the winning touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during overtime of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard leaves the field after scoring the winning touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during overtime of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard leaves the field after scoring the winning touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during overtime of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard leaves the field after scoring the winning touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during overtime of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard celebrates after a long run against the Arizona Cardinals during overtime of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard celebrates after a long run against the Arizona Cardinals during overtime of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

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