Despite the two big injuries on the Blues’ defense this season - Erik Johnson and Eric Brewer - the group has somehow managed to stick together and get the job done. With Carlo Colaiacovo as the team’s only puck-moving defenseman, somehow the Blues have managed to win games and edge their way into the playoffs.

But through three games in the Blues-Canucks’ series, it’s pretty glaring how much the Blues have been affected by not having more puck-moving skills on the blue-line, or by not having a defenseman with a booming shot on the power play.

Let’s be clear: Getting offense from your defensemen is a bonus. The main thing a defense wants to do is keep the puck out of the net and clear the zone. While the Blues have been decent at keeping the puck out of the net during 5-on-5 play in this series, clearing the zone has been a different story. The Blues have struggled to move the puck, and while not to take the forwards off the hook, it’s contributed to a lack of offense.

“I didn’t particularly like any of our defensemen (Sunday) night,” Blues coach Andy Murray said. “I thought our defense core was not particularly good in terms of our puck movement out of our end. Everybody talks about Vancouver’s aggressive forecheck and they definitely do a good job. But we were feeding their offense because we weren’t getting the puck out. It’s like in volleyball . . . if you don’t have the good bump to start with, you’re in trouble. Our first pass execution hasn’t been good enough.”

This is the area of the game where Johnson and even Brewer to an extent would help the Blues. Johnson’s presence would also give the Blues’ offense a boost, particularly with his shot on the power play. He had 33 points as a rookie last year.

In the series against Vancouver, the Canucks’ defensemen have combined for eight points (2 goals, 6 assists), while the Blues’ defensemen are still without a point.

“The results aren’t there,” Blues defenseman Jay McKee said. “Obviously E.J., he’s a big loss, and ‘Brew’ has been a big loss for us. It’s been a group of defensemen that has been fairly consistent as a whole. It hasn’t been two guys going. It’s been a collective effort.”

But the results aren’t there. In addition to Johnson and Carlo Colaiacovo, the Blues are going to need more offensive contributions from their blue-line next season, even if it means going out and finding some help.

Take a look at the season stats:

Vancouver defensemen

Kevin Bieka: 11 g, 32 a, 43 pts

Alexander Edler: 10 g, 27 a, 37 pts

Mattias Ohlund: 6g, 19 a, 25 pts

Sami Salo: 5 g, 20 a, 25 pts

Willie Mitchell: 3 g, 20 a, 23 pts

Shane O’Brien: 0 g, 10 a, 10 pts

Rob Davison: 0 g, 2 a, 2 pts

Ossi Vaananen: 1 g, 10 a, 11 pts

That’s 36 goals, 140 assists and 176 points from Canucks defensemen.

Blues defensemen

Roman Polak: 1 g, 14 a, 15 pts

Jeff Woywitka: 3 g, 15 a, 18 pts

Carlo Colaiacovo: 3 g, 27 a, 30 pts

Mike Weaver: 0 g, 7 a, 7 pts

Barret Jackman: 4 g, 17 a, 21 pts

Jay McKee: 1 g, 7 a, 8 pts

Eric Brewer: 1 g, 5 a, 6 pts

Steve Wagner: 2 g, 2 a, 4 pts

Tyson Strachan: 0 g, 3 a, 3 pts

Alex Pietrangelo: 0 g, 1 a, 1 pt

That’s 15 goals, 98 assists and 113 pts.

The difference between the Blues and Vancouver defensemen: 21 goals, 42 assists, 63 points.

It was a drastic difference during the regular season and it’s been a drastic difference in this series.

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Jay McKee is questionable for tonight’s game. He suffered an undisclosed injury in Game 3 Sunday night and may have tweaked the injury during a fall on the ice this morning. McKee is planning to play tonight, but if he’s unable to go, Tyson Strachan could make the start.

JR