While missing the playoffs this season is all but a foregone conclusion for the St. Louis Blues, they could still surprise the NHL down the stretch. Even after jettisoning various players, including captain Brayden Schenn and veteran blueliner Justin Faulk, the Blues have turned up the dial.
The club is 7-2-1 in its last 10 matches and looking increasingly confident. A 3-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers last Friday night in overtime helped make a case for a strong finish in St. Louis.
That’s why the Blues could become the pebble in the shoe for contenders down the stretch. The Oilers got a good sense of that.
Moving forward, the Blues will play the Colorado Avalanche and the San Jose Sharks twice, the LA Kings, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Anaheim Ducks. These are playoff teams or teams vying for a playoff spot. And the Blues could stand in their way. Clubs like the Kings and the Sharks are close, with precious points dwindling.
It’s not that the Blues will play the role of spoiler. It goes beyond that. The Blues will get the opportunity to redirect their culture moving forward with a strong finish. And that could lay the foundation for a rebound season in 2026-27.
Blues’ strong finish is all about next season
Finishing strong this season isn’t about trying to squeak into the playoffs. Of course, it’s still mathematically possible. But it’s not really something realistic.
That said, a strong finish is about setting the tone for next season. It’s about setting the team up for success instead of crumbling into the depths of the abyss. A solid record in the last 15 games or so would do very well to boost the club’s confidence. That’s something that could carry over into training camp in the fall.
The point here is not to “spoil” anyone’s playoff hopes. Beyond playing for pride and personal satisfaction, it’s all about laying the groundwork for long-term sustainable success. The Blues have shown that they can succeed even in a post-Schenn era. That’s why building on that foundation is crucial for the Blues’ long-term viability.
The last thing we want to talk about is a painful teardown and rebuild. Fortunately, the team is not in that position. It’s in a position where constructing on solid ground can help the club take the next step. That next step will be competing with the bigger clubs in the Central Division. There’s certainly room for the Blues to elbow their way into the conversation among the Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, and Utah Mammoth.
If there’s anything we’ve learned this season, it's that the West is open. Any team with a solid run can barrel its way into the playoffs.