BLUESThe St. Louis Blues have just one game left in their 2021-22 regular season, a home matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights.
The team came back from a 3-1-0 road trip in good spirits despite ending on a regulation loss in Colorado - their first since March 26 - which ended a franchise-record 16 game point streak.
"We've been finding ways to win games," said Ryan O'Reilly. "We're just trying to build ourselves and our game for the Playoffs - we got one little tune up left and we're into it. I think we're all proud of getting those points."
Gearing up for the postseason, the Blues have a lot to feel confident about with the way they closed out the regular season. The team's eight 20-goal scorers lead the NHL, as well as their eight 50-point scorers. Their 12 wins and 26 points in the month of April are both the most in the League.
Goaltenders Jordan Binnington and Ville Husso have both turned in impressive performances all season, getting a lot of repititions under their belts in the process. The Blues are one of three teams (Boston, Washington) to play two goalies at least 37 games each.
The Blues can still grab home-ice advantage in their first-round series against the Minnesota Wild. To do so, the Blues need to beat the Golden Knights and will also need the Colorado Avalanche to beat the Wild in regulation on Friday.
At a record of 49-21-11 for 109 points, the club also has an opportunity to match their second-highest regular season point total in franchise history.
GOLDEN KNIGHTSFor the first time since entering the NHL in the 2017-18 season, the Vegas Golden Knights will miss the Playoffs.
An overtime loss by the Dallas Stars on Wednesday night gave them the point they needed to mathematically eliminate Vegas, who fell to the Chicago Blackhawks in a shootout on the same night. Facing the same result against San Jose and Dallas early in the week, it was Vegas' third consecutive shootout loss.
"I'm surprised, I'm disappointed, I'm at the front of the line for responsibility," said Vegas Head Coach Pete DeBoer. "There were a lot of expectations on this team, so it's not an easy thing and it doesn't feel good for anybody right now."
Jonathan Marchessault and Chandler Stephenson lead the scoring for the Golden Knights this season, both at 64 points heading into their final game.
Still with no shortage of pride to play for, Vegas will be sure to bring intensity to their frequent Western Conference foe in St. Louis. Just as the Blues have a chance to cement home-ice advantage, Vegas has a chance to deny home ice for a competitive opponent when they come to Enterprise Center on Friday night.
The Golden Knights bring with them a record of 42-31-8, worth 92 points and fourth place in the Pacific Division.
HEAD-TO-HEADThe Blues carry a 2-0-0 record against Vegas this season, winning 3-1 in Vegas on Oct. 20 and 5-2 in St. Louis on Nov. 22. They are 6-2-1 against the Golden Knights at Enterprise Center since they entered the NHL in 2017-18.
