from Tom Timmermann of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch,

There was a banner-raising ceremony, a trip to the White House and the first game back against Boston, the team the Blues vanquished to win the Stanley Cup. Each has been one hurdle to get past on the way to the Blues putting last season behind them and giving their sole focus to this season.

Now, the party really is over.

The Blues announced on Monday that forward Vladimir Tarasenko, who has led the team in goals in each of the past five seasons, will need surgery on his left shoulder and will be re-evaluated in five months. That would put his possible return around the beginning of April, which is the final week of the regular season.,,,

Tarasenko was hurt in the game with the Kings on Thursday. He split two defenders for a partial breakaway but in an effort to slow him, defenseman Sean Walker used his elbow to lift Tarasenko's left arm, which apparently is when the injury occurred. Tarasenko got a shot off and then held his left arm against his side as he skated to the bench. He didn't immediately go to the dressing room, but did so before the period ended.

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Below, watch how the injury happened.