The St. Louis Blues have one more contest before heading home and enjoying Christmas with their families and loved ones. As we are about to have that matchup down in Tampa Bay against the Lightning, let's get a little festive on this one.
It seems like the Central Division is getting exactly what they want this year from Mr. Santa Clause, but can the Blues get what they wished for?
Let's take a look.
Central Division has been good this year
Looking around the Division, there is a case to be made for each team and what they wanted and needed most this season. For the most part, every team got what they wanted. Check it out below:
Staley Cup contending roster? | Granted | |
|---|---|---|
Connor Bedard emergence? | Granted | |
Best hockey team of all-time? | Granted | |
New Name, Uniform... Identity? | Granted | |
Consistency? | Granted | |
Resolve? | Granted | |
Top-line production? | Granted | |
St. Louis Blues | ??????????? | ??????????? |
The Minnesota Wild won the biggest trade of the season to grab Quinn Hughes, and now their roster looks like it is ready for a deep playoff run this season. Chicago has been waiting for a generational talent in Connor Bedard to emerge, and this season has been his breakthrough.
Colorado might be the best team to step on the ice in history, and they are flirting with history for the best record and most points in a season. Utah got a new name, uniform,and mascot, and with that, they grew into a new identity that sheds the old Arizona Coyotes regime.
Dallas is still a powerhouse, once again. Nashville has proven that its team is still a long way away, and its idea of being a top team has been resolved. Winnipeg has been actively searching for top-line production alongside Mark Scheifele, and got it this season with Kyle Connor and Gabriel Vilardi.
That leaves the St. Louis Blues.
What did the Blues wish this season?
The Blues' wish this year has changed over time. At the beginning of the season, it was to be a shocking team once again, making their second straight playoff appearance. Then, its wish was to just try and win a couple of hockey games in a row without having a goaltender pulled. Next was to have enough members to play, and stop having everyone get hurt at the same time.
Currently, the Blues' wish is for this Christmas break to be a reset to the system for them. Things have been on the fly since opening night, with no opportunity to slow down and catch their breath. Hopefully, head coach Jim Montgomery can finally lock down some secure line combos to build chemistry. The defense has to be better, obviously.
Finally, depending on the outcome of goaltender Jordan Binnington, there is a chance for a goaltender change as the starter. Joel Hofer could get his own personal Christmas present when the team starts back up again on December 27.
So, to wrap it all up with a little bow, the Blues Christmas wish this year is clarity. Can this team figure out what kind of team they are now? Are they contenders, or is a rebuild on the horizon?
Hopefully Santa can deliver an answer on that one.