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During the Blues’ 12-game win streak, Robert Thomas has more points than every other player in the NHL.

How about since the start of March? Robert Thomas. Since the 4 Nations Face-Off break? Robert Thomas. Since the start of February? Robert Thomas.

For more than two months now, Thomas has produced more than everyone in the NHL, becoming a primary catalyst for the Blues’ push from the wrong side of the mushy middle to a near playoff lock with four games remaining in the regular season. In Saturday’s record-setting 5-4 win over the Avalanche, Thomas had one goal and three assists. He initially was credited with another assist, on Pavel Buchnevich’s second-period goal, but his secondary helper later was removed.

Since the break, as the Blues have rattled off an 18-2-2 record, Thomas has 34 points, three more than the next-closest player.

“Can’t say enough good things about Robert Thomas’ game since 4 Nations,� Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. “Must be one of the top three scorers in the NHL in that time. No. 1? Well, there you go.�

Thomas is up to 75 points this season, which leads the Blues despite missing 12 games because of a fractured ankle. His 1.14 points per game would be the most for a Blues player in more than two decades among those who played at least 40 games in a season.

Here’s a list of the most recent Blues to produce at a clip at least at 1.14 points per game: Pavol Demitra, Pierre Turgeon, Brett Hull, Craig Janney, Brendan Shanahan, Adam Oates, Doug Gilmour and Bernie Federko.

The Blues’ turnaround has mirrored one by their No. 1 center. In January, Thomas had just seven points, which put him behind 166 other NHL players. He was benched for half a period in Utah on Jan. 18. When the Blues lost four straight to end the month, he had one goal and zero assists.

But Thomas has been the most central figure of the Blues lately.

In the past seven games, the Blues have scored 27 goals. Thomas has been on the ice for 21 of them, and he has a point on 18 of them.

“He don’t think, he just play the game right now,� Buchnevich said. “Before, he’d feel that if you struggle a little bit, you’re thinking too much. Now he just play like a kid, and enjoy the moment. Still working for him. I’m just happy and support as much as I can. Happy to see for him with a (four)-point game. It’s pretty impressive.�

On Saturday night, Thomas fed Zack Bolduc in the slot for a power-play goal in the first minute of the game. He spotted Jake Neighbours at the net-front with a pass from below the goal line. Although he didn’t get credit for an assist on Buchnevich’s goal, Thomas kept the play alive in the Avs zone by checking Cale Makar. Thomas set up Bolduc again on the power play in the second period. And then he restored a multi-goal lead with an empty-net goal in the final minute of the game, which ended up being the game winner.

Thomas did all this while playing against reigning Hart Trophy winner Nathan MacKinnon for 13:33 at five on five, more than any other Blues forward. During that time, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ outscored Colorado 2-0.

“I think what people aren’t recognizing is how good he’s been defensively,� Montgomery said. “We’re using him against MacKinnon’s line all night tonight. He just does a really good job. His brain is high-end offensively and defensively.�

Buchnevich understands just how Thomas ticks.

“I just think we see the game a similar way,� Buchnevich said. “I always tell him to shoot the puck more and he’s now shooting more. He has a good shot, and scoring. He’s not anymore just a passer. He shoots pretty well, and scoring goals has helped the team to win.�

In each of the past two seasons, Buchnevich has played more with Thomas than any other Blues player, and they’ve combined on 85 goals since Buchnevich arrived in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½.

So is this the best he’s seen Thomas play?

“Tough to say; he’s a good player,� Buchnevich said. “Hopefully not the best I see. More to come, you know?�

Dvorsky recalled

The Blues recalled forward Dalibor Dvorsky from AHL affiliate Springfield (Massachusetts) on Sunday morning, a transaction that allows the Blues to have 13 healthy forwards for their trip this week to Winnipeg, Edmonton and Seattle. Dvorsky has played in one NHL game, vs. Nashville on March 23.

Dylan Holloway is out week to week because of a lower-body injury, and Alexandre Texier has not been on the ice since Thursday because of an upper-body injury.