Just Days Away from Playoffs Blues are Plagued with Injuries

The St. Louis Blues are fighting for their dignity and their dreams of a successful playoff run. They have dropped their last five games and have looked tired and amateurish. Injuries to key players have taken its toll on the mental toughness of the team. Superstar goaltender, Ryan Miller, has been less than stellar and is showing much wear and tear. Pinning their playoff hopes on Miller may prove to be the downfall of a good team. I would unfortunately never call them a great team as they are not consistent enough to be a great team.

A Blues’ fan and hockey enthusiast, Charles Herrmann, said it best. “The Blues are sadly not a great team, as much as I want them to be. When you watch great teams play, they are good every night. They may not win every game but you are not scratching your head at the end of the game wondering who you are watching. They do not rely on winning games in shootouts. They grind out three periods and win in regulation.” Greatness and consistency go hand in hand. 

Even with a healthy team, the Blues were never great. On paper, they were phenomenal. Analysts picked them to be on top of the heap when the dust settles, with captain David Backes hoisting the Stanley Cup over his head in triumph. As much as I would be elated to see that sight, I have been skeptical. When the Blues traded their soul for goaltender Ryan Miller and forward Steve Ott, I thought they were grabbing at straws and were desperate. Watching them implode the last five games, I wonder if they have the ability to step up and make magic happen.

Key players have been injured and while the Blues are hopeful to have Brendan Morrow, Vladimir Sobotka, Derek Roy, TJ Oshie, David Backes, Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Berglund back for game one of the playoffs, I wonder if these magnificent seven will truly be ready or will the Blues have to limp along with out some, if not all, of them through the first round.

Having to rely on players who are not used to stepping up into playoff intense games is showing on the team. Head coach Ken Hitchcock will have a difficult time on his hands preparing them for a playoff fight.