How will the St. Louis Blues compensate for the loss of the injured, do-everything center Robert Thomas? It will be a challenge, but the Blues passed the first test without Thomas by blowing out the Maple Leafs, 5--1, on Thursday in Toronto. In the victory, the Blues displayed just about everything they must do well with Thomas missing. Goaltending, quality depth, and getting impactful play from players that are first-year Blues. And the team's best players have to play to a high level. It was only the first of many games without Thomas, but the Blues went into Toronto and made an emphatic statement.