Vladimir Sobotka had the closest thing to a standout Sunday for St. Louis as the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Blues 2-0.

Sobotka had four SOG, two PIM and went 9-3 on faceoffs for a useful fantasy night despite the defeat.

Vladimir Sobotka registered an assist in St. Louis' 1-0 victory against Nashville.

Sobotka has eight goals and 17 points in 38 games this season. He's had a few hot patches this season, but otherwise hasn't been particularly helpful in standard leagues.

Vladimir Sobotka has been filling out whatever role the Blues need him for.

If the Blues need someone to take on a top-six role then Sobotka can deliver, just like he can deliver if the Blues need a bottom six forward. "He slows the game down with how fast he can cut back and how strong he is on the puck," teammate T.J. Oshie said. "You look at the way (David Perron) can kind of make the defense shrink, Sobie does the same thing. Guys just don't really notice, because he doesn't have the numbers every year like some guys do. But he's a huge asset to our team. He's probably one of our hardest hitters and he's one of our hardest workers. He's a very underrated and overlooked player." Sobotka has seven goals and 14 points in 29 games this season with a minus-four rating and 19 penalty minutes. He can be taken in very deep drafts.

With a hat trick Saturday, Vladimir Sobotka proved he has the ability to contribute more offensively if the Blues with to use him in that capacity.

After he recorded the Blues' first hat trick since Jay McClement did the deed in 2010, Ken Hitchcock praised the forward for his offensive talent. "He plays a different role when he plays in Europe," Hitchcock said. "He doesn't play the checking role that he does in the National Hockey League. He quarterbacks the power play, he plays on the top line . he knows how to play. Because of the situation we're in, he's learned to play with more patience now and maybe it's made him a better player. But he's a gifted offensive player."

Vladimir Sobotka netted three goals Saturday for his first career NHL hat trick in St. Louis' 4-3 overtime win over San Jose.

Sobotka had also never posted a two-goal game prior to Saturday's performance. He has been hot of late with six markers and one assist in his last five contests. Kevin Shattenkirk collected two assists in the match, while Patrik Berglund scored his 12th tally in overtime to give St. Louis the win.

Because of mechanical problems with their airplane, and a marathon trip home from Vancouver, the Blues did not arrive in St. Louis until rush-hour Tuesday morning, while the "visiting" San Jose Sharks already were hunkered down, well-rested, feeling at home.

The Sharks ended up winning 2-1 Tuesday night but Blues forward Vladimir Sobotka said the long trip home was no excuse. "It was a tough game for us, but we didn't play hard enough," Sobotka said. "We didn't play as a team again at home, at least not for 60 minutes, and that's what is hurting us." As for the tiring travelogue: "That's no excuse," Sobotka added. "I don't see why we would use that. We (played) hard at times, we had more scoring chances. But we didn't get the goal, they did." The Blues are winless at home in five games. The Sharks ended their seven-game swoon with the win in St. Louis.

Vladimir Sobotka will get a chance to play alongside Patrik Berglund and Chris Stewart on Thursday.

Sobotka has been serving primarily as a fourth liner. He has a goal and three points in six games this season.

Vladimir Sobotka collected three assists in 4-3 loss for Slavia Prague on Monday.

The St. Louis grinder has been an offensive force in the Czech League with 20 points in 19 games.

Vladimir Sobotka had a goal and three assists in Slavia Prague's 5-2 victory over Pardubice in Czech Extraliga play.

Sobotka now has eight points in five games with Slavia Prague. He's likely to end up as a third-liner with the St. Louis Blues when the lockout ends and he consequently won't have much fantasy value.

Vladimir Sobotka netted the game-winning goal in the Blues' 3-0 victory Saturday night.

David Backes and David Perron accounted for St. Louis' other two goals. T.J. Oshie registered two assists for the Blues. Andy McDonald also registered an assist, giving him five points in six games, including his final four regular season contests. St. Louis now has tied their first round series at 1-1.