The St. Louis Blues ended their three-game losing streak yesterday with a 1-0 victory over the Utah Mammoth. Their 9-10-7 record, however, still has them floating around the bottom of the standings: they're seventh in a competitive Central Division and the fourth-worst team in the Western Conference.
For the first week of December, the Blues have a four-game slate, which includes a weekend back-to-back in Canada. Let's take a look at who their opponents are going to be.
vs. Anaheim Ducks 12/1
If you'd told anyone that the Anaheim Ducks would be the first-place team in the Pacific Division before the season started, they would've laughed in your face--but that's the reality of it. The Ducks are 15-8-1 and leading the Pacific by points percentage, fueled by their surging young core; Leo Carlsson, in particular, has arrived as a two-way star center.
@ Boston Bruins 12/4
Much like the Ducks, folks would've laughed at you if you'd told them ahead of the season that the Boston Bruins would be one of the top teams in the Atlantic Division--but again, that's how things have played out. As other teams flounder, the 15-12-0 Bruins have retooled after last season's sell-off, and Jeremy Swayman looks like a star goaltender again.
@ Ottawa Senators 12/6
It was a rough start to the season for the Ottawa Senators after a surprise playoff appearance last year. Things seem to be getting back on track somewhat, and the team's captain, Brady Tkachuk, is back in the lineup. If Linus Ullmark remembers he won a Vezina at some point this season, the Senators are poised to do some damage in the postseason.
@ Montreal Canadiens 12/7
The Montreal Canadiens have had the opposite story of the Senators: they started white hot and have cooled off ever since. A weak Atlantic has allowed the 13-8-3 Canadiens to hold onto a playoff spot for now, but they are, at the time of writing, 4-5-1 in their last 10 games. If the juggernaut Florida Panthers get it going or the Toronto Maple Leafs ever figure it out, Montreal will be in trouble; for now, though, they're in the playoff picture.