For the last three months, Blues forward Pavel Buchnevich hasn’t been himself.

Hampered by an ankle infection that dates back to mid-November, Buchnevich has had to fight his way through pain, all while maintaining his status as one of the team’s most productive players.

“Basically three months I play with it, so basically nothing can change from here,” Buchnevich said. “But last three months, I’ve never been healthy.”

Buchnevich missed the final four games before the All-Star break with the infection and was activated from injured reserve before Saturday’s game against Arizona.

Buchnevich said that he was initially injured on Nov. 21 against Anaheim when he was hit by a puck that required stitches. Then the wound got infected on Dec. 5 when the Blues played the Rangers, and Buchnevich missed the next four games as the leg was “super swollen,” he said. It flared up again when the Blues played the Blackhawks on Jan. 21.

Buchnevich was able to use the All-Star break and bye week to help his ankle heal a little bit.

During practice this week, Buchnevich has tried three different pairs of skates to help alleviate the pain, including some where the boot has been cut lower so that his ankle is bothered less.

“Try to figure out what’s the best way to get less pain,” Buchnevich said. “It’s healing but still when I go to skate, I have discomfort.”

Buchnevich was one of three Blues who returned to the lineup Saturday night, as Ryan O’Reilly (broken foot) and Robert Thomas (lower body) also played against the Coyotes.

It is the first time since Dec. 19 that the Blues had O’Reilly, Buchnevich, Thomas, Torey Krug and Jordan Kyrou available in the same game.

“A very good feeling,” Blues coach Craig Berube said. “Having the captain back in practice the last couple days, the intensity level goes up and the excitement. And Buchy, too, obviously. Having those guys back really drives up things.”

O’Reilly missed the last 14 games after blocking a shot during a loss to Minnesota on Dec. 31. He began skating this week and joined Blues practice Thursday.

The St. Louis captain has 10 goals and six assists this season.

“You want to help out, you want to be a part of it, and it’s tough,” O’Reilly said. “Especially watching games on the road, you don’t know what’s going on in the room or on the bench or stuff like that. You feel pretty removed. To be back around the guys and feel part of it again, feel like you can contribute again.”

O’Reilly’s return to action will be monitored around the league by contending teams as he remains a top trade target given his expiring contract and the Blues’ position in the Western Conference standings.

“For myself, I didn’t really like my game and the way I was playing,” O’Reilly said. “Being able to watch and being removed from that, you kind of see how important it is just to be able to compete. This injury has helped me realize that hey, it’s a privilege to play and compete, and need to start enjoying that part first and build my game from there.”

Thomas missed two games before the break after he was hit in the groin by a Torey Krug shot on Jan. 26 in Arizona.

The only remaining injured Blues are Marco Scandella (right hip surgery) and Scott Perunovich (shoulder). Both have been practicing regularly with the Blues.

“For a while, it was crazy,” O’Reilly said. “There wasn’t a table in the training room not filled. It’s nice, we’re getting healthy and getting back. We’ve still got a chance.”

Change of sceneryThe Blues held a morning skate at Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights instead of Enterprise Center, which has been the norm. Berube said he was “just changing it up.”

“I did it before a couple years ago,” Berube said. “Our home record is not very good, just switching it up. I enjoy practicing down here more. I like the energy here better than Enterprise.”

Sammy Blais gets a shotForward Sammy Blais, acquired from the Rangers in the Vladimir Tarasenko trade Thursday, will play on the second power-play unit on the left flank. He’s joined by Brandon Saad, Ryan O’Reilly, Ivan Barbashev and Justin Faulk on the second unit.

“Get him going, give him a role a little bit,” Berube said. “He’s got a good shot, he’s got good puck skills. I like him going downhill there, and hopefully he can rip some pucks. Hope we get a couple. Get him going right away, get him in a good spot.”