The time is here. Playoffs 2016. The St. Louis Blues are once again one of the top teams in league in terms of points and wins. The entire NHL community knows them as “the team that can’t get passed the first round.” Well, yes. The Blues have made first round exits in three of the last four years, despite finishing near the top of the Western Conference each year. Once again this season, they finished second in the Central and totaled the second most amount of points in the west. They meet their rivals the Chicago Blackhawks in round one, just as they did two years ago. It all starts tonight.
The time for excuses is up. The Blues took three of five games against the Hawks this year. Two of them were even on the road in Chi-Town. They can beat this Hawks team and have proven so. It’s time to do it on the big stage when everyone across the country is watching. The Blues once again have home ice advantage. Scottrade Center will be a loud sea of blue and yellow, with an occasional red sweater in the mix (yuck). There won’t be an empty seat in the house.
Here’s another thing. The Blues have every player on the roster available. Previously banged up players Jake Allen, Steve Ott, David Backes, Robby Fabbri, you name it. They are available and they can play and contribute. Injuries or banged up bodies are not a viable excuse for anything anymore.
Photo via @StLouisBlues on Twitter.
The fans have been waiting for playoff success. They have been the epitome of jokes from other fans around the league. It hasn’t been easy being Blues fans come playoff time. It’s time to change that. It’s time for these players to rally around each other, the fans, and this city and bring us what we utterly have desired.
We’re tired of waiting. We’re tired of false hope. We’re tired of being sent home early. We’re tired of saying “maybe next year”. This is the time, right here, right now. The monkey on all of our backs relies on this team. Go out and get the job done. No excuses will be accepted this time. We’ll all be watching and cheering our hearts out. Let’s go Blues.
