VANCOUVER - Blues forward Andy McDonald has an upper-body injury and is being listed as "day to day," the team has announced.

"He's out for tonight's game (against Vancouver)," Blues coach Davis Payne said. "We're dealing with it as an upper-body injury and we'll get the further evaluation when we get home."

After tonight's game, the Blues will travel back to St. Louis Monday afternoon. Payne said the plan is for the evaluation to happen as soon as possible.

McDonald, who is tied for the team lead with 17 points, was injured in overtime of Saturday's 2-1 loss to Edmonton. He was skating into the offensive zone when he caught a rut in the ice, fell and was inadvertently kneed in the head by the Oilers' Shawn Horcoff.

McDonald did fly with the Blues to Vancouver. When asked if the possibility exists that McDonald suffered a concussion, Payne said: "Again, we're dealing with the upper body right now and until we get home and get the evalutation done tomorrow, that'll be as much information as we have."

If McDonald's injury is indeed a concussion, he could be out an indefinite period of time. Blues forward David Perron suffered a concussion on Nov. 4 and has yet to resume skating.

So now the Blues are without McDonald, Perron (concussion) and T.J. Oshie (fractured ankle) - arguably three of their top forwards - and defenseman Roman Polak (lacerated wrist). They also played with Barret Jackman and Carlo Colaiacovo.

"They (injuries) are something you have to deal with, and we've had to deal with them," Payne said. "It'll be familiar territory for us. We've had guys out of the lineup for an extended time, and this is another situation where we've got to band together and be good as a group.

"These guys have to step out there, the (Brad) Winchester's and the (Matt) D'Agostini's and the guys who have moved up in the lineup, in the offensive production roles ... this is their time, this is their opportunity and this is what the team needs."

JR