Even though the St. Louis Blues beat the Chicago Blackhawks in their final game before the 4 Nations Faceoff, most fans left them for dead. Even though mathematically possible, it just seemed to big a stretch to make the playoffs given all their issues.
Suddenly, we're all feeling quite a bit different about that potential prospect. The Blues had not won three-straight games all season long and now, they've won four in a row and beat some impressive teams doing it.
Of course, it didn't get off to the best of starts. The Los Angeles Kings scored less than four minutes into the game, quieting the Saturday night crowd.
Kevin Fiala scored with a slap shot on the power play. The puck went bar down, giving Jordan Binnington no chance.
As we've seen in recent times, there were no heads hung. St. Louis just got after it.
Colton Parayko continued his hot streak, tying the game 1-1 about six minutes later. He just missed on a backhand, forehand effort and was then set up on the left circle again and got the goal with a slick wrister to the short side.
The Blues then took a 2-1 lead with just under two minutes to go in the first. After a scramble in front of the net with multiple guys chopping at the puck, it came loose to Pavel Buchnevich on the left of the crease and he put it into the empty net.
St. Louis would double their lead about midway through the game. After a shot block at the left point in the defensive zone, the puck came to center for a Zach Bolduc breakaway. He finished it off coolly to make it 3-1.
The Blues ratcheted up the defense in the third, only allowing eight shots on goal. They also added one more insurance goal.
Dylan Holloway scored his 19th of the season to make it 4-1, 94 seconds into the third. It was a hard wrister from about a yard or two outside of the slot. Honestly, it likely should have been saved even though there was a partial screen, but you'll take those breaks.
4-1 would be the final, sending the home fans to their cars happy. Now the Blues embark on six road games, including five games in seven days.
Pro: Parayko
Along with Binnington, the 4 Nations games seem to have brought something inside of Parayko to life. We're now seeing what we all knew was in there come out with more consistency.
Nobody expects him to be Cale Makar, but he can skate, he can handle the puck and has the speed and stride length to cover a lot of ice. The way he's joining the attack at just the right time has been crucial during this win streak.
A lot of it has to do with his teammates too, but I have little doubt he got a jolt playing with all the Canadian stars. To practice with those giants and know you're on their level has made a big difference for him.
Pro: Puck responsibility
You could take this term and use it a variety of ways. However, for me, it's about the tracking of the puck and how the team has defended it.
The amount of backdoor tap ins the Blues allowed the last few seasons has been ridiculous. Everyone wants to blame the defenders, but it's about a variety of things that lead up to the final play. The talent is there, regardless of how you've felt about guys like Nick Leddy, Torey Krug, Justin Faulk or even Parayko.
Now, we're seeing it. Forwards are stepping out and blocking shots.
Even when it was 4-1, the fourth line had two big blocks that energized the team. I already mentioned the shot block that led directly to the Bolduc goal. The Blues had 20 blocks for the game.
Beyond that, they finally know where to have their sticks. Los Angeles probably had three or four backdoors set up, but a well placed defensive stick picked off the pass or blocked the pass attempt before it could become anything.
It's just smart hockey and confidence at this point.
Overview:
Whether they make it or not, the Blues are playing playoff hockey right now and it's fun to see. Actually playing in the postseason could come down to games remaining and the math of the standings.
Regardless, this is the time of year you want to be playing your best and the Blues are. Pick any one of the last four wins and you're likely to have a fan say that's the best they've played all year.
The Blues aren't beating chumps. They've knocked off Colorado, Washington and Los Angeles - all teams in the playoffs and still pushing for secured divisional spots, if they're not at the top of their division. Even Seattle isn't a pushover.
The physicality has been borderline playoff style. Even Jordan Kyrou was throwing the body around with six hits, one behind Alexey Toropchenko's game high of seven.
As mentioned, the Blues are limiting the quality chances again. They're still getting good goaltending with Joel Hofer and Binnington, but they haven't relied solely on those two to bail them out time after time.
Goalies always need to make saves, but allowing eight shots against in the first and third is a recipe for success as opposed to 15 shots or more allowed per period.
Robert Thomas continued his hot streak with another assist. He has points in nine straight, erasing what was a disappointing January that had him involved in some fantasy trade rumors.
Suddenly, making the playoffs seems an actual possibility instead of a pipe dream. The Blues are now tied with Calgary and one point behind Vancouver for the final spot.
Both teams still have games in hand, but the Blues can only worry about themselves. It's going to be a tough road swing in Dallas, two more games with the Kings and a game against the Ducks sandwiched in there.
The Blues could easily let this all slip away. If they play with only 75% of what we've seen the last week, they'll still give themselves a good opportunity to win though, and keep this hope alive.