One of the best stories in the NHL over the past decade was the St.Louis Blues' run to a Stanley Cup Title during the 2018-19 season. On January 5th, the Blues were in last place in the Central Division, with a record of 16-18-4. But just a few days later, several Blues players would be introduced to the song "Gloria" while at a bar in Philadelphia. After that day, the Blues decided to make it their new win song, and the rest is history.
The Blues would close out the season with a record of 29-9-5, propelling them into third place in the Central and a matchup against the Winnipeg Jets in the first round. They were able to make quick work of the Jets, beating them in six games. They then beat the Dallas Stars despite being down three games to two. In the Western Conference Finals, they again found themselves in a series deficit down two games to one, but rattled off three straight wins to win the West.
After splitting the first two games of the Cup Finals, the Blues hit a new low. After barely escaping Game 2 with an overtime win, they were dominated in Game 3, 7-2, on home ice. However, the Blues were able to rally and win their first Stanley Cup in seven games. Whether it was Gloria, the emergence of Jordan Binghamton, or the Blues getting hot at the right time, one thing is for sure: this win helps erase years of playoff pain.
The 2019 Cup eases the pain of the previous playoff shortcomings
If there was one thing that defined the Blues franchise before 2019, it was falling short in the playoffs. From 1967-68 to 2003-04, they only missed the playoffs three times. That's 36 trips to the playoffs over 39 years, a level of success every team would kill to have. But just because they made the playoffs doesn't mean they had much success. Over those 36 years, they only won 23 playoff series, often winning only the first series. They only made it to the Stanley Cup finals three times during that span.
To make matters worse, those Cup wins only came in the first three years of the Blues' existence. From 1970 to 2019, the Blues failed to make the finals. With so many opportunities, it makes those shortcomings so much worse. Sure, 23 23-series wins during that span are nice; however, when there is no Cup to show for it, those wins feel like something missing. Like you're a team that ultimately failed.
However, the Blues' most significant shortcomings came during the 2010s. From the 2010-11 season to the 2018-19 season, the Blues made the playoffs seven times. They often finish either first or second in the Central Division. But just like the previous Blues trips to the playoffs, they struggled to get out of the opening two rounds. They only made the conference finals twice, despite being one of the best teams in the NHL. It felt like every year during that stretch, fans could schedule a depressing playoff loss.
But during that run to the Stanley Cup, none of those shortcomings mattered. On June 12th, 2019, all the pain and suffering that Blues fans had endured over their 52-year franchise history felt like a distant memory. All that mattered was the Blues and their fans finally had a title.