St. Louis Blues: In a Great Year of Hockey, One Team Shines Brightest

For the better part of the last five years, I watched with disgust as the St. Louis Blues lost night after night, year after year.  It wasn't the losing that was so difficult to deal with, but rather the manner in which they lost.  Lackluster performances, a seeming collective hockey I.Q. in the range of an adolescent Orangutan and what, from the eyes of this interested spectator, could only be viewed as a general disinterest night in and night out. 

Fast forward to Friday night.

As I watched the last seconds tick off the clock in St. Louis I was struck with a mix of jubilation and confusion that can only be described as...disbelief?  Was it not this same St. Louis Blues team that was in last place in the Western conference at the time of the All-Star break? 

Much props to Andy Murray, John Davidson, Jarmmo, and the whole scouting staff for making such a quick, focused turnaround. 

That having been said, by no means is the work over; rather, it is just beginning.  In the hardest division in hockey, which made a strong bid to send all five representatives to the playoffs (foiled by Anaheim's determined play), St. Louis has a long future of extremely competitive, rivalry inducing intra-division schedules. 

Today, St. Louis plays in Colorado (where I happen to live now), and I am set to watch a team that even I had given up on at one point this season play for a sixth seed in the West, pitting them against the "in-stride'' Vancouver Canucks, a matchup that I am not particularly fond of.

There is no miracle drug or substitute for "intelligent" hard work, but I will attempt to point to the top five individuals responsible for this playoff push.

(In order of least important to most important)

5. Jay McKee

As part of a defensive unit who nobody would call "stable" or "daunting," Jay has been a model of consistency.  And he blocked 3,000 shots.

4. T.J. Oshie

Although his impact was limited by injury, he made the most of his time and achieved national recognition by winning "Goal of the Year" on NHL.com.  In a related story, he gave Rick Nash perhaps the hardest hit of his professional career...and then rocked him once again the next night.

3. Keith Tkachuk

In what I expected to be a season which showed "Walt" with one foot out the retirement door, he touts 25 goals and 24 assists heading into this afternoon's game.  He will be perhaps the most crucial individual, both in the locker room and on the ice, if the Blues are to make any noise this postseason.

2. David Backes

David Backes is very close to becoming a very rich man.  As his contract is up, I speculate that St. Louis will have to cough up about $5 to $5.5 million per year, and don't be surprised to see him on top 10 most-wanted free agent lists all around the league.

1. Chris Mason

As I predicted, Mason took over the reigns after Manny took a figurative "dump" during the first half of the season.  If he starts tonight, it will be his 33rd consecutive.  He has carried this team, save after save, since being awarded the starting job, and I look forward to seeing him in a Blues jersey next season. 

Honorable Mentions

David Perron

This budding French-Canadian is third on the Blues in points.  As he begins to understand where he, as a smaller body, can operate best (see Daniel Briere), expect to see him in many different All-Star uniforms.  Oh, and in my opinion, where he can operate best is not on the point on powerplays (again, see Daniel Briere).

Patrick Berglund and Andy McDonald.

These two have really bolstered the Blues' play down the middle.  What will become a formidable duo as the teams top two centers.

I mentioned before I did not like the possible St. Louis-Vancouver series.  I know I will get a lot of disagreement for this, so no need to hold your tongues, but I think San Jose is poised to exit the playoffs in round one. 

First of all, we owe them an eight-seed upset.  When St. Louis won the President's trophy, it was an overlooked San Jose team that gave them "the boot."  It will be highly aggressive fore-checking, penalty killing, and outstanding goal tending that beats San Jose (cue Anaheim or St. Louis).