NHL: Despite Their Regular Season Collapse, The St. Louis Blues Have Hope

Although the St. Louis Blues’ six game loss skein that cost them the NHL Central title is one of the great season ending collapses in a long time, the Blues are still a viable Stanley Cup contender. They finished with the third best record in the NHL West. 

Before looking forward, let’s recall the Blues had a 7 point lead in the Central Division after their last regular season win vs Buffalo on April 3rd. They proceeded to lose weekend games to Colorado at home and then at Chicago. Next a home loss to Washington, road losses to Minnesota and Dallas and yesterday’s home loss to Detroit. Six games, no points, and instead of a likely one seed in the West and possibly in the league, they are third in the West. 

However, the real season–the playoffs–begin on Wednesday (Thursday for Blues/Blackhawks), and I predict the Blues will “right the ship,” and  defeat the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the playoffs.