While the St. Louis Blues are once again facing an uphill battle in their attempt to earn a postseason berth — the team has been ravaged by injuries — there have been some bright spots.

Rookie center Patrik Berglund has been everything the Blues’ brass thought he would be and is a candidate to win the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie.

Berglund has amassed 21 points in 27 games, including 11 goals. Also, he’s far and away the team leader in plus/minus at a +11.

With the rash of injuries, the Blues have had to rely on their farm system and the waiver wire. The latter has produced big dividends in the form of B.J. Crombeen, the son of former Blues forward Mike Crombeen.

B.J. Crombeen was claimed off waivers from Dallas and has scored six goals in 16 games.

Further giving Blues fans hope is the recent rankings put out by Hockey’s Future. For the second straight season, the Blues have been tabbed as having the league’s best pool of prospects.

And if the Blues continue to wallow in the depths of the Western Conference, chances are good they can add yet another top shelf prospect in next year’s entry draft.