Back in November, most St. Louis Blues fans were probably asking if their team would even be in playoff contention come early April. The answer to that question was a resounding ‘yes’ before this famous 10-game winning streak even commenced.
The next question, however, was basically taboo had one asked it even back in February when we knew this Blues team had more talent and potential than previously believed. It was so forbidden that there was no way I’d even dream of writing an article about it since there were so many variables.
Everything had to fall in line, and, somehow, through divine intervention of the Hockey Gods perhaps, I’m now able to ask and break it down. But now, it’s time for you to ask me, ‘Todd, what’re you talking about?’ Glad you asked. Now, I’ll answer in the form of a question.
Will the St. Louis Blues end up as a top-three team in the Central?
Even as early as last week, I would’ve laughed had someone approached me with such an outlandish inquiry. What? The Blues? Wild card team? Absolutely. But a top-three team in the Central? Not this season and not even next season.
But after 10 wins and a points total of 89, that question isn’t so bad when you account for how poorly the Colorado Avalanche have been playing lately. For context, the Avs may be 6-2-2 in their last 10, but they’ve also lost two straight, and one of those games came against the Blues.
It’s also worth mentioning the Blues have a more favorable schedule as the season winds down, as the Avs are facing a feisty Columbus Blue Jackets team, the Blues again, the Vegas Golden Knights, and the Los Angeles Kings. Not to mention, a couple of not-so-bad opponents in Vancouver and Anaheim.
Blues favorable schedule could catapult them into third place if they sustain momentum
The bad news for the Blues is that they got, in addition to the Avs, the Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers. But they also have the Pittsburgh Penguins, Seattle Kraken, and Utah Hockey Club. One more win vs. the Avs would work wonders for the Blues, and if they beat Pittsburgh, Seattle, and Utah, third place may be right there for the taking if Colorado slips up.
The only real downside here is that the Avs have a game in hand on the Blues heading into Wednesday. Another win in that one-game difference would be huge for the Avalanche, and it would make the Blues job that much tougher if they were to make a run at third place.
So, while it’s fair to ask this previously forbidden question now, given how much the Blues have closed the gap on Colorado, it’s still one to approach with ultra-cautious optimism. Realistically, the Blues will end up in the wild card, but it’s still great to see this team at least in the conversation for third place in the Central.
Nobody would’ve predicted this back in September, but that’s why you play all 82 games to the whistle. Over the course of a six-month season, you never know what’s going to happen.