Likely First-Round Opponent Has Blues Open For Business

While the Eastern Conference wildcard race is tight with all of the teams at or above .500, the Western Conference wildcard race is tight, but much weaker. There are some teams climbing above .500 and playing well, but it seems just as tough to make the playoffs.

The St. Louis Blues are one of the teams in the running, but have been falling out of the race. They are now four games under .500 and six points back of a playoff spot with two extra games played. There continues to be plenty of players that teams are looking at to pick from the roster, whether that be pending UFAs or players with some term.

Pierre LeBrun said, "I've been told by other teams that (GM Armstrong) has said, I don't care if we make the playoffs or not, we're not beating Colorado in the first round, so I'm still listening on all these guys."

The Colorado Avalanche are going to lock up first in the NHL if they don't somehow collapse in the second half. The team is 33-4-7 and has a 12 point lead on second place. The Avalanche are going to match up against whoever finishes in the second wildcard spot, and that's the closest spot for the Blues to finish in if they can even get into the playoffs at this point.

Sometimes trades and fresh faces in new spots in the lineup or in the lineup in general sparks a late season push or strong play. It happens plenty in the NHL and the Blues are itching for a different look in their lineup. There are certain players who should definitely stay and be a part of what the Blues could build, but veterans who have value and teams will want to grab. Given more opportunities, players like Otto Stenberg, Dalibor Dvorsky, and Jonatan Berggren could impact the game more and before top-6 players.

And if the Blues manage to get to the first wildcard spot, their opponent is likely going to be one of the Edmonton Oilers or Vegas Golden Knights. Not as difficult, but very strong playoff teams. This Blues team isn't built to compete this season, but the future could hold much better things. What Armstrong appears to be doing makes the most sense.