OVERVIEW
The St. Louis Blues (2-3) know the odds.
They know that, when a series is tied 2-2, the team who wins Game 5 usually wins the series. They know they're a Wild Card team going up against the favored Presidents' Trophy winners. But they also know that the odds have been against them most of this season, and that hasn't stopped them yet.
Friday has become a must-win scenario for the Blues after falling 5-3 to the Winnipeg Jets (3-2) in Game 5 of their first-round matchup. It continued the trend of the home team winning every game so far, which St. Louis hopes to continue as they return to Enterprise Center with their season on the line.
"They got the better of us [Wednesday], but we know we've got Game 6 at home and a job to do," said Justin Faulk. "It's a place we're comfortable playing, comfortable with our group and we expect a good effort that night."
It was a tough Game 5 for the Blues from the start, allowing the opening goal just 1:23 to the game. They tied it twice on goals from Nathan Walker and Jimmy Snuggerud before the Jets took the lead for good in the second period. After the game, the message was clear.
"It's a playoff series," said Head Coach Jim Montgomery. "I thought that was their best game, I thought it was our worst game. We're on to the next one. We can analyze every part of it, they were better, so we're on to the next one."
One game at a time is a familiar mantra for the Blues, who have been operating with that mindset since coming back from the 4 Nations Face-Off.
At the time, the team sat eight points out of a playoff spot. The math said they were likely done; the Blues decided they weren't. They went 19-4-3, tied for the most wins in the NHL in that span, and set a franchise-record with 12 wins in a row to vault up the standings and secure a postseason berth.
And that team is keeping the same confidence heading into Game 6 on Friday.
"I believe in our group," Montgomery said. "We’ve done it here for two-and-a-half months. There’s no reason to believe that we’re not going to be coming out full force and trying to force a Game 7."
