The NHL schedule makers outdid themselves this time.



Two nights after a reckless cross-check by St. Louis’ Robert Bortuzzo on Nashville’s Viktor Arvidsson, which will sideline the Predators forward four to six weeks with a lower-body injury, the Blues will be at Bridgestone Arena to play the Predators on Monday night.



Bortuzzo won’t be in uniform after being suspended for four games Sunday by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety. But what will be the reaction of the Smashville fans and the Preds themselves after they learned how long Arvidsson will be out and the length of Bortuzzo’s suspension?



The play happened in the second period of Nashville’s 4-2 win over St. Louis at Enterprise Center. The Blues were killing a penalty when Arvidsson went to the net and was cross-checked into the crossbar by Bortuzzo. The defenseman’s reaction leaves the impression that he felt Arvidsson was embellishing the cross-check, and...