Miraculously, the Blues have won 4 of their last 6 games. They showed a lot of character in how they found ways to win and did so off some gutsy individual performances. What can we take away from the Blues recent hot stretch?
The offense is waking up
Probably the biggest issue for the Blues this season has been their offensive struggles. They had been one of the worst teams by team finishing, a metric that quantifies how well a team converts scoring opportunities.
The Blues were scoring on average 2.3 goals per game in the month of November, a mark well under the average of 3.0. Their ability to create and especially convert scoring chances was well under league average, and it led to a lot of close losses.
In their most recent wins, the Blues are scoring an average of 2.75 goals, a much more respectable mark. It's unlikely the Blues will return to having a top-10 offense, but if they could maintain a pace closer to 3.0 goals per game, that would set them back on the right track.
Furthermore, the offense is coming from positions that had been struggle points. Brayden Schenn and Pavel Buchnevich have started to heat back up, and once upon a time, these were key contributors to the on-ice product. If they can get back to their career norms, that would go a long way in helping pull the Blues out of the pit they find themselves in.
Is the goaltending back?
The other notable performance we've seen is some really gutsy play from the goaltending tandem, and especially Joel Hofer. In this successful stretch, Hofer has played 3 games and earned a .975 save percentage.
That is an astronomical level of performance, and a much-needed bounce back for the previously struggling goaltender. His run of good play includes one shutout and only 2 goals allowed on 80 total shots.
This competition should push his goaltending partner, Jordan Binnington, as well. Binnington always responds well to pressure, and he is sure receiving his fair share of it right now. If Hofer can extend his success into the season, there should be an elevation from Binnington's side as well.
The team's goaltending was the worst in the NHL by a wide margin coming into the month of November. The team seems to be pulling their performance around into something more watchable now, and if Hofer continues his heroics, the Blues are going to be faced with a big decision on their hands.
The St. Louis Blues had just about the worst two months of play any team could have had in the NHL. Despite all that, they currently sit just two points out of a playoff spot. The season has felt like a complete and total nightmare, but despite all that, the Blues are right there in the playoff hunt in a somewhat weak Western Conference.
There is still time to get it right and turn around this Blues season. If they can capture what they bottled over the last couple of games, there is a real chance the Blues could shock the world.