The St. Louis Blues have been on an absolute tear since the Olympics, and it has been a complete surprise. Well, not really, as this is exactly what happened down the stretch last season with the franchise-record 12-game winstreak that sent them into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
That being said, let's take a look at some different scenarios as the final 11 games of the season are about to ensue. Really, there are only two outcomes to come out of this, but both are at complete opposite ends of the spectrum.
Playoff implications
Currently, the Blues have a record of 30-30-11 for 71 points, and are now seven points behind the red-hot Nashville Predators for the second wildcard spot in the Western Conference. The Blues are on a three-game win streak with their 2-1, last-second, overtime win over San Jose.
With 11 games left to play, that is 22 points up for grabs, and the Blues do not play against the Predators for the rest of the year. They do, however, have the underwhelming Toronto Maple Leafs up next on Saturday, and then one more showdown with the struggling Sharks next week for an easier four-point swing.
The season is certainly not over, despite the Blues being sellers at the Trade Deadline. However, that ended up working out is certainly unbelievable, but this team looks like they are going for it all.
Draft Lottery
Despite being on the doorstep of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Blues are, interestingly enough, in a great spot for the NHL Draft. With their most recent win, they moved down to the sixth-best odds to get the first-overall pick, which could completely alter their future, as seen by Sharks superstar Macklin Celebrini.
Now in sixth-position with a 7.5% chance of getting the first pick, it is not impossible for them to get it. Ivar Stenberg or Gavin McKenna would look great in the Blue Note.