Blues’ Extra Games In Hand Could Determine Season Outcome
By Haynes Evans
The St. Louis Blues currently sit at fifth place in the Honda West Division with a record of 20-19-6 (46 points) with a game tonight against the Colorado Avalanche. Currently one point behind the Arizona Coyotes with three games in hand, the Blues’ season outcome could potentially be decided in those three extra games along with their play now.
St. Louis’ final 11 games will see the team play Colorado (1x), Minnesota (5x), Anaheim (2x), Los Angeles (1x), and Vegas (2x). Without a doubt, the Blues’ toughest games will come against the Avalanche, Wild, and Golden Knights. The team will look to their star players to keep them in the playoff race.
Who To Keep An Eye On
One of the biggest names to keep an eye on right now is captain Ryan O’Reilly. In Saturday’s come-from-behind win against Colorado, O’Reilly recorded a hat trick and an assist. In his past 10 games, the Ontario native has recorded eight goals and two assists for 10 points as well as two hat tricks.
Some other players to keep an eye on are forwards Mike Hoffman, Jordan Kyrou, Brayden Schenn, and David Perron; defenseman Justin Faulk and goalie Jordan Binnington. All of these players are big factors to the Blues controlling and dominating games and getting wins, and when these guys aren’t clicking it shows.
What Has To Happen
The Blues will need exceptional play from their offense and defense as well as goaltending if they want to stay alive in the playoff race, especially tonight against Colorado. They will also need some help from other West teams to keep the Coyotes from locking up that final playoff spot. The Coyotes have an easier road to the end of the season, so if they find ways to win and St. Louis hits a rough streak, the extra games in hand will mean nothing.
These three extra games in hand will mean nothing if Arizona goes on a winning streak or if St. Louis hits a wall and gets themselves eliminated from playoff contention. Arizona’s next two games against San Jose are huge for determining and potentially shaping the outcome of the season for St. Louis.