Blues’ Bozak is expected to play Wednesday vs. Kings

Help is on the way for the St. Louis Blues.

Tyler Bozak, who has not played since suffering an upper-body injury Jan. 26, is expected to play Wednesday when the Blues visit the Los Angeles Kings, coach Craig Berube said Monday.

Bozak has missed 21 games, a long stretch during which the team’s pool of centers was depleted at times with Robert Thomas, Ivan Barbashev and Oskar Sundqvist also out.

Bozak’s return will be a boost not just at the center spot, but also for a roster that continues to be without Thomas (broken left hand), Barbashev (left ankle), Jaden Schwartz (lower body), Colton Parayko (upper body), Carl Gunnarsson (lower body), Jacob de la Rose (lower body) and, most recently, Mackenzie MacEachern (upper body).

On the plus side, winger Vladimir Tarasenko returned March 6 after missing the start of the season rehabbing his third left shoulder surgery.

Berube also told reporters that de la Rose might be available Wednesday, Schwartz is “making great progress” and Thomas skated with the team in Los Angeles on Monday.