We are in the home stretch of the NHL season. The St. Louis Blues only have 14 games left on the schedule and are seven points back of a playoff spot. While there are four teams ahead of them, there is still a shot they can make a run at a wild-card spot. If the team can get hot over these next few games and climb the standings, they can be in striking distance going into the final week. It's a spot that no one thought they would be in.
However, this is a lot easier said than done. With the struggles the Blues have had this season, it's no guarantee they can just go on a hot streak. Especially considering the players they moved at the deadline. The best way to see if they have a chance is to look at the upcoming schedule. How good are their opponents, and what the Blues can do. Based on their upcoming opponents, the Blues should look to tank and improve their draft position.
Blues have a tough schedule coming up, which puts to rest any hope of a late playoff push
At first glance, the Blues' schedule does not look that hard. To close out the month of March, they play the Capitals, Maple Leafs, and Sharks twice. All three are in a similar spot as the Blues. They are on the outside of the playoffs, and it looks unlikely that they will make the playoffs. It is the perfect stretch of games to start a winning streak. Beating teams at your level is a perfect way for a team to gain confidence and put together a run.
But it is April when things start to turn and get harder for the Blues. Seven of their nine April games are against teams currently in the playoffs. This includes two games against the Avalanche, and one against the Mammoth and Penguins. All three of which rank in the top seven among points. These are some of the best teams in the league, and they have given the Blues problems so far this season.
The Blues currently lack the talent to compete with these teams. Even if these teams clinch a playoff spot and rest guys, they still have a good chance at beating the Blues. With such a hard stretch of games, the Blues should turn their focus to the draft. The goal over the final few weeks of the season should be to improve the Blues' draft stock and try to get it as high as possible. It's the best move for the organization's future.
Currently, the Blues are fifth in the NHL draft. They have an 8.5% chance of getting the first overall pick. While this is a deep draft class, guys like Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg stand out among the rest. These are two franchise-altering players. The type of players that can turn an organization around and lay the groundwork for the next competitive core. The Blues have to do everything in their power to get one of these players.
While it may be hard as fans to root for your team to lose, this is something Blues fans should be doing down the stretch. It can be what helps the Blues become competitive again.