The St. Louis Blues have finally found themselves in the losing column after 12 straight wins. They did it against the right opponent, as the Winnipeg Jets are heading toward being the best team in the NHL when this regular season is over.
With three games remaining, the Blues are in a tight race with the Minnesota Wild for one of the two wildcard spots. Currently, the Blues still hold the first spot with a record of 43-29-7 for 93 points. The Wild are behind them with a record of 42-29-7 for 91 points, and they have a game in hand over the Blues.
After the heart-wrenching 3-1 loss to Winnipeg, the motivation for these last nine periods of Blues hockey should be to get that first wildcard spot. If this team is destined to make a run, they cannot afford to be at the bottom of the playoff bracket.
Have to beat out the Wild
As the franchise's record-breaking 12-game winning streak comes to a close, the focus is on getting the best possible playoff position. After losing to Winnipeg on Monday night, the Blues have to try to avoid a rematch with them in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
If the Blues could beat out the Wild and gain the first wildcard position, the first round opponent would be against the top team in the Pacific Division, the Vegas Golden Knights. Vegas has been stellar this season in their own right, but they do not match up with the scariness of Winnipeg. There are multiple ways that this playoff bracket can go for the Blues.
Struggling against Winnipeg
The Blues' record in the season series with the Jets was 1-2-1. That does not bode well for a best-of-7 matchup in the first round. The Blues must try to avoid the Jets as long as possible if they want to count this season and playoff appearance as a success.
Of course, if the Blues draw the Jets in the first round as their opponent, anything can happen. The playoffs are notorious for upsets and near-miracle moments, so why should the Blues' playoff run be any different?