Berube: Tarasenko 'ready to go' for postseason

The defending Stanley Cup champions will have their most talented scorer available if and when play resumes.

St. Louis Blues sniper Vladimir Tarasenko is on the mend after being out of action since late October.

"He's good," Blues head coach Craig Berube told The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford on the "We Went Blues" podcast.

"Before we stopped, he was ready to come back the next week and play, so, he did a great job of getting himself back," Berube continued. "He did a great job with his rehab, along with the training staff, and he kept himself in great shape. He actually came back in better shape than he came to camp (in September) ... He's been on the ice and doing things right now, so he's ready to go."

Tarasenko was hurt during a game on Oct. 24 and had shoulder surgery performed five days later. He was given a timetable of at least five months the day before the procedure.

The 28-year-old forward collected three goals and 10 points in 10 games before the injury. He led the Blues with 33 goals in 2018-19 and played a key role in their championship run, posting 11 markers and 17 points in 26 playoff games that spring.

Tarasenko led St. Louis in goals for five consecutive campaigns before 2019-20, notching at least 30 in each one and burying 40 in 2015-16.