St. Louis Blues fans are hoping they’re experiencing the best case of déjà vu ever. The team (42-28, 91 points) is following a familiar path to the one that led them to their first Stanley Cup championship almost six years ago. A midseason coaching change, a thrilling 11-game winning streak, and standout play from goaltender Jordan Binnington may all be key factors in this team’s most exciting moments to date. However, the constant threat of injuries looms over the league.
Blues forward Dylan Holloway suffered a lower-body injury during the team’s pivotal win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday and is expected to miss time, with a week-to-week timeline, according to president of hockey operations and general manager Doug Armstrong. With the regular season ending on April 15, the fan base is understandably anxious.
Can the Blues endure this challenge once more? Holloway, the No. 14 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, has had a breakout season with St. Louis, tallying 63 points, 26 goals, and 37 assists in 77 games, ranking among the top three on the team in all categories. The 23-year-old from Calgary, Alberta, has registered at least one point in all but two games during the Blues’ ongoing winning streak, making his absence on the ice hard to replace.
St. Louis holds a two-point lead over the Minnesota Wild for the top Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, and they are comfortably ahead of the Calgary Flames (84 points). While making the Stanley Cup Playoffs seems almost certain, the team’s goals have shifted after a midseason turnaround. Jim Montgomery’s group is confident they can disrupt the playoff race this spring.
Holloway is a key piece of that postseason push. The Blues are hopeful he will return to action before the season ends. The team will aim for a franchise-record 12th straight win when they host the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.