After winning the franchise-best 12 games in a row, the Blues’ winning streak has ended after a 3-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets.
The streak started on March 15 in a competition against the Minnesota Wild, which the Blues took 5-1.
Beating teams like the Blackhawks, Ducks and Predators came easy for the Blues, winning each matchup 4-1, 7-2 and 4-1 respectively.
Other games were more challenging wins for the Blues, mainly the Vancouver Canucks, who kept it close until the Blues won in overtime with a game-winning goal from Philip Broberg, and against the Colorado Avalanche, who the Blues beat twice during the streak, once 2-1 and next 5-4.
“It’s been impressive to watch,” Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said.
The key to the Blues’ success has been the play from veteran goalie Jordan Binnington, the last remaining member from the 2019 team that won the Stanley Cup.
Binnington started his recent success off with playing in the NHL’s ‘4 Nation Faceoff’ while representing Team Canada and playing as their starting goaltender. The Canadian team ended up winning against the U.S. team in the finals, led by Binnington who made many clutch saves to put his team in a position to win.
“I feel connected to the game,” Binnington said. “Whatever the game throws my way, it doesn’t matter, I’m ready to play and move with it.”
After winning the Faceoff, the Blues played against the Jets in their first game back. The streak didn’t begin until they played the Wild.
The 12 games the Blues won back-to-back lead the NHL this season for the longest streak, as well as being the longest win streak in Blues history.
Despite the win streak, the Blues failed to beat the Jets, who clinched a spot in this year’s playoffs on April 1, beating the Blues 3-1 after an empty-net goal by Adam Lowry.
In a disappointing team performance, Pavel Buchnevich provided the lone goal for the Blues’ while Morgan Barron and Alex Iafallo both made shots for the Jets.
However, the Blues are still in a spot to make Wildcard game and will look to clinch a spot despite being down 5 points and being fifth in the rankings.
“Look, we haven’t clinched anything yet when it comes to making the playoffs,” Armstrong said. “There still is work to do, but our guys believe in themselves, and that’s a big thing.