For the first time since the earliest days of the season, the St. Louis Blues are over hockey .500 with a 32-31-11 record and 73 standings points--four points out of the Western Conference's second wildcard berth. They're riding a four-game win streak and are 7-1-2 in their last 10 games. It still feels too little, too late (Money Puck has them as a longshot playoff team with 12 percent odds), but there's now a path for them to push for the postseason. They just have to keep winning.
This week, they've got a busy schedule with four games, all on the road against Western Conference teams. If the Blues have any hope of playing past Game 82, there are two crucial matchups on the docket that. are essentially must-wins. Let's get into it.
@ the San Jose Sharks, 3/30
This is the first of the Blues' must-win games. The San Jose Sharks have fallen back in the playoff race despite the unreal play of young phenom Macklin Celebrini, but they're tied with the Blues with 73 standings points. This is a big game for both teams, because a regulation win is a four-point swing in favor of the victor. Hopefully, the experience of the Blues' squad with late-season runs will win out.
@ the Los Angeles Kings, 4/1
No foolin', this is the second must-win game of the week for the Blues. The Kings are ahead of them in the standings with 76 points, but they've gone 3-3-4 in their last 10 games and seem to be crashing out in the final stretch of captain Anze Kopitar's illustrious career. LA has been awful at home this year, too, sporting an abysmal 10-17-8 record. Bank four points in these two games, and the Blues are nipping at the heels of the second wildcard by the weekend.
@ the Anaheim Ducks, 4/3
If you'd told somebody in September that the Ducks had a good chance to win the Pacific Division, they likely would've laughed you out of the room--but that's exactly what's happening in the Pacific Pillow Fight. The Ducks are 41-28-4, and have gone 6-3-1 in their last 10 games; they're as streaky a team as any. This game isn't quite as important to the Blues, as the Ducks are so secure in their Pacific playoff berth, but you've gotta get points where you can--and this is a team the Blues can beat.
@ the Colorado Avalanche, 4/5
The week concludes in Denver with the most likely loss of the four games. The Avalanche have cooled off considerably after a torrid start to the season, but they've still clinched a playoff spot and are likely to finish with the President's Trophy. They've been shaky of late, though, going 5-4-1 in their last 10, so maybe the Blues can surprise, but this year's Central Division might be the most top-heavy we've seen in years.