Bleedin' Blue
Fansided

St. Louis Blues: These aren’t the “Same Old Blues” Anymore

By Sammy Stava

Mar 15, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; St. Louis Blues center David Backes (42) and left wing Alexander Steen (20) and defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (27) celebrate the power play goal by Steen against the Dallas Stars during the third period at the American Airlines Center. The Blues shut out the Stars 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; St. Louis Blues center David Backes (42) and left wing Alexander Steen (20) and defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (27) celebrate the power play goal by Steen against the Dallas Stars during the third period at the American Airlines Center. The Blues shut out the Stars 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The St. Louis Blues are heading to the Western Conference Final after a convincing 6-1 Game 7 road victory over the Dallas Stars Wednesday night.

For the first time since 2001, the Blues are one of four teams remaining in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. No matter what happens next, Stanley Cup or not, this year’s Blues team has proved that they are not the “Same Old Blues” from year’s past.

To even get to the Western Conference Final, the Blues beat the defending Stanley Cup Champions in the Chicago Blackhawks and the top seed in the Western Conference this season in the Dallas Stars, with both series having gone the distance.

Without a doubt, the Blues had the toughest road of any team to get to the conference finals, and that should bode well for their confidence moving forward.

More from Editorials

After their series-clinching win over Dallas, St. Louis improved to 5-1 following a loss, 5-2 on the road and 2-0 in Game 7s in this postseason. Hart Trophy finalists Patrick Kane and Jamie Benn combined for only two goals (one goal each) against the Blues in the first and second rounds.

In these playoffs, Robby Fabbri leads all rookies with 13 points, David Backes leads the NHL with three-game winning goals, and Troy Brouwer, who played in his eighth consecutive Game 7, has four points (two goals, two assists) in these two Game 7s with the Blues. 

More from Bleedin' Blue

Just like in the series against Chicago, goaltending was going to be the difference in the series against Dallas, and Brian Elliott stepped up big time once again.

If the Blues played like they did in Game 3 and Game 7 in this series, watch out, because St. Louis will be firing on all cylinders. The only concern with this team is their inability to finish a series when they have the chance the first time. However, they were playing two tough teams in the Blackhawks and the Stars.

So, the Blues have beaten the defending Stanley Cup Champions and the top seed in the Western Conference to get to this point. Also, the President’s’ Trophy winners have been eliminated as the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Washington Capitals in six games.

That means the Blues have home-ice advantage for the rest of the way. However, that may not mean a whole lot due to the fact they have been a better road team and have struggled on home ice recently. Though I would rather have the home-ice advantage opportunity than not.

Next: Rookie Sensation Robby Fabbri is in Good Company

The point is, this might be the Blues’ best chance to win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.  And their close as they’ll wait to play the winner of Nashville and San Jose’s Game 7 tonight. Though obviously, they can’t underestimate the Predators or the Sharks.

Eight down, eight more to go. Halfway there.

Home/Editorials