St. Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas will take a temporary leave of absence for a personal matter, team president Doug Armstrong announced Wednesday. Thomas, who ranks second on the team with 33 points, is expected to return Friday after missing time with a lower-body injury.

Thomas has recorded 11 goals and 22 assists in 42 games this season. The 25-year-old center was placed on injured reserve on Jan. 16 and hasn't played since January 10 against the Vegas Golden Knights. His absence comes as the Blues navigate a challenging season.

While the Blues haven't disclosed specifics about Thomas's personal matter, his temporary departure adds to the team's injury concerns. The organization has indicated Thomas will rejoin the lineup Friday, providing a potential boost as St. Louis continues its push through the regular season.