No Tomorrow.

The word around St. Louis from some is that the Blues' season has been a success: a division title, third in the NHL, and the first playoff series win in ten years.

Reading a forum on stltoday.com entitled "What do you consider a successful season for the Blues?", many suggested simply winning a playoff series was the goal and anything else is considered gravy.

I hope the players think like myself.

I believe, when you make the playoffs, anything else than raising the Stanley Cup is a failure.

With the Western Conference so wide open, why should the Blues not expect to reach hockey's holy grail? I'll be damned if I am going to watch Phoenix, Arizona or Nashville, Tennessee have a cup parade before us.

Not one team in the Western Conference has ever won the cup. In my opinion, the West is far and away the stronger conference even if the "experts" don't agree (Of course they picked the Pens and Canucks to win it all).

Looking at the East, not one team is strong defensively. There are no stand-out goalies like the West contains. Come Thursday, seeds five through eight could be all that are left. In my honest opinion, most of the Eastern Conference's elite would have struggled to even make the playoffs in the West.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. The West is were the Blues will really be tested. Nashville and St. Louis have to be the favorites to come out of their conference. Both have strong goaltending, play well defensively, and can score as needed.

Once again, let's not jump over Los Angeles, which will be a real test for the Blues. The number eight seed just took down Vancouver in a physical series where Jonathan Quick was lights-out.

Everyone around town is saying that Los Angeles and Nashville are scary match-ups for the Blues. I have news for you, they are all going to be scary from here on out, it's the Stanley Cup playoffs!

And why should the Blues be scared? To me, if I was another team, I would be afraid to face the Note:

• a red-hot power play.
• a red-hot McDonald (who has a history of being a red-hot playoff scorer on a cup-winner).
• red-hot goaltending.
• Great leadership, from the Captain to Vets like Langenbrunner, Arnott, and McDonald.
• we've been good all season long, never faultering under Hitchcock.
• Oh yeah, experienced coaching, who put in a system that has worked wonders and put belief in some underachieving players (See Oshie, Berglund). And...he's won a cup before.

I know I am looking through biased eyes while writing this, but to me, the Blues have to be favorites, especially if they can get out of the extremely tough Western Conference.

These opportunities are fleeting, fellow Blues fans, and our mantra does not need to be "We'll be good years to come, it's been a success, let's win it next year when we'll be even better." Look how tough the league is, look how tough the West is, and look how tough the Central is. You can bet that early exits by Detroit and Chicago are going to spark change in those organizations to make them competitive next season. Nashville will be back with virtual the same team, and Columbus will  be on the rise someday.

The parody in the NHL is remarkable. A cup contender one year can miss the playoffs the next. There has not been a repeat cup winner since 1998 (Detroit). The Blues were poised in 2009 to break out and be a perennial playoff team. They missed the playoffs for the next two seasons.

There are no guarantees to make it to the playoffs, and once you're there the goal is to win the cup.

"Think how good we'll be next year" is a phrase Blues fans need to lose. The time is now. The opportunity is right in front of this team, and it is time they seize it and not hope for a better tomorrow. There should be no tomorrow in the locker room or the expectations.

July 6, 2011: The Day the Blues Became Contenders

When the Blues power play struggled early on in the season, whose booming shot did they turn to to score on the PP?

Jason Arnott.

When the Blues needed a leader to provide energy and edge, who was there?

Jamie  Langenbrunner.

When the Blues needed a big shift after giving up a goal, or just some good solid two-way hockey, who went on the ice?

Arnott and Langenbrunner.

When the Blues signed veterans Jason Arnott and Jamie Langenbrunner in the off-season, they put the pieces in place to be successful in the postseason.

Look no further than the clinching game 5 over the Sharks in the Western Conference Quarterfinals: The Sharks were in control, up 1-0 on the Blues who had generated little offense. The crowd at Scottrade was mute and preparing for a sixth game in San Jose.

But along came Langenbrunner, scoring a huge goal that set off a 45 second rally and propelled the Blues to the Western Conference Semifinals.

Langenbrunner has a history of scoring big goals in the playoffs, he is the active leader in playoff overtime goals and ranks third in playoff game-winning goals.

And Arnott? He only scored the game-winning overtime goal clinching the Stanley Cup for New Jersey in 2000.

For years the Blues have been a "bubble" team, poised to make the post season and take that next step. But lack of leadership and inexperience seemed to trump their talent, hard work, and potential season after season.

This off-season, Armstrong added Langenbrunner and Arnott on the same day with identical contracts. Both had been captains. Both had won the Stanley Cup.

Darren Pang Tweeted at the time: "These two signings are going to be significant for the development of players ready to take that next step."

It was not just significant for the development of players, but the development of a team as a contender.

Al MacInnis: Forever a Blue, Flame

It is amazing to think that Al MacInnis produced more for a team than he did for the St. Louis Blues. But that may be the case for his time spent as a Calgary Flame.

MacInnis was inducted to the "Forever a Flame" program in Calgary Monday night. A banner with his picture and number 2 will forever hang above the rink where he started his career. He is the first to receive this great distinction.

MacInnis' Hall of Fame career spanned 23 seasons, 13 with Calgary and 10 with St. Louis. As a Flame he played 803 games, scored 213 goals, and amassed 609 assists which adds up to 1,274 points. He was an all-star eight times in Calgary. But his most lasting accomplishment came in the Flames 1989 run to the Stanley Cup, when the man they call "Chopper" lead the playoffs in scoring with 31 points, and captured the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP. It marked the first time that a defenseman lead the NHL postseason in scoring. MacInnis considers winning the Cup in Calgary his "greatest hockey accomplishment in the NHL."

MacInnis was traded to St. Louis in the summer of 1994. In 613 games with the Blues he had 127 goals and 325 assists for 452 points. In 1999 he won his first and only Norris Trophy as the leagues best defenseman. He also won an Olympic gold medal with Canada in 2002. He announced his retirement in 2005 and took a job in the Blues front office as the vice president of hockey operations. His number 2 is retired and will forever hang in the rafters in St. Louis.

In his career he played in 1,406 games, scored 340 goals, and added 934 assists. He was elected into the hockey hall of fame in 2007.

John Kelly said, "in the history of the NHL he's got to be on the short list of all-time greatest defenseman." Joel Quenneville used to brag that MacInnis was one of the top five players to ever lace up the skates.

Growing up in St. Louis as a young defenseman in the 90's, I idolized Al MacInnis. I practiced my slap shot everyday to mimic Chopper. I took more pride in the way I handled the puck on the blue line after watching him. In school, I wrote a biography in English class detailing his wife. I clipped newspaper articles and have them to this day. I always looked back at his time spent in Calgary with jealousy, seeing pictures of him raising the cup. Although he was unable to lift the cup as a player, it would appear he can do it as a member of the Blues' front office.

It was a fantastic ceremony, and Calgary deserves to be proud. Do yourself a favor and watch it:

The Blues beat the Flames 3-1 in the game that followed. Jason Arnott scored 2 goals. It was their third straight road win:

Health is on the Way

Jason Arnott and Kent Huskins will return to the lineup tonight against the Islanders.

Both veterans are ready to go according to Head Coach Ken Hitchcock. Huskins will take Carlo Colaiacovo's spot, as he suffered from a wrist injury in practice Wednesday.

Arnott has been out since February 3 with a shoulder injury after crashing into the boards awkwardly in a game against Los Angeles. He has missed six games. Through 49 games, Arnott has 12 goals and 12 assists (24 points). He has been a pleasant offensive surprise this season, especially on the power play.

Huskins has been out since October 28, when he fractured his ankle. He had surgery November 16 and has missed 46 games. In nine games with the Blues, Huskins, not usually known for his offense, has 2 goals and 2 assists with a plus-6 rating.

Meanwhile, both Matt D'Agostini and Alexander Steen remain on the shelf with concussion syndromes.

Hitchcock is happy to have Arnott & Huskins back:

Blues Stop Landslide

The Avalanche were one of the hottest teams in the league until they stepped onto Scottrade Center ice last night.



The Blues dominated the Avalanche and cruised to a 4-0, league-leading 17th home ice win Saturday. They scored two power play goals, and jumped into first in the Central Division. It was their first win against the Aves this season.

The first place spot will be relinquished when Detroit and Chicago meet up Sunday, but it is a testament to how well the Blues have been playing and how competitive the best division in hockey is.

Brain Elliot gained his fifth shutout of the season, facing only 15 shots. The Blues played most of the game in Colorado's end, including scoring two power play goals and being just one second shy of adding a third.

Patrik Berglund opened the scoring when T.J. Oshie banged a shot off his leg and past J.S. Giguere. Kevin Shattenkirk remained hot against his old club, scoring on a point shot. In the second, Jason Arnott, our power play savior, scored his team-leading fourth power play goal. Not to be outdone, Captain David Backes added his fourth PPG in the third to cap off a 4-0 route of the Aves.

The Blues are 24-12-5 at the midway point of the season and own first place in the Central Division this late in the season for the first time since January 2001.


Highlights:



Notes:

Elliott gained his fifth shutout of the season. Per Hitchcock's policy, he should get the start Tuesday against Montreal. That will not happen though, given that it is Halak's return to the city. I am not one for conspiracy theories, but it seems like the Blues are always finding excuses to play Halak over the hotter Elliott. Just a thought. ($$$$$$$)

T.J. Oshie was all over the ice. He was hitting and making plays offensively. He is becoming that player that everyone has thought he was been the last few seasons. This is how it should be.

David Backes: what a captain, what a leader.

Arnott: what a pick-up by Army. Think where the PP would be without him.

The Blues are doing all this without Steen, McDonald, Kris Russell, and Kent Huskins (who is set to return soon). They are proving their depth.

Blues Beat Stars, Lose Late to Wings

The Blues played back-to-back games on Monday and Tuesday with mixed results. They did score two power play goals in each game.

Monday, they beat the Stars at home 5-3. Jaro Halak got the start and the win, not having to do much to outplay  Dallas netminder Richard Bachman who was chased from the game after letting in a couple of easy goals.

Some significant tallies were scored by the Blues. Chris Stewart scored twice, which hopefully will spark his sniping ability. Adam Cracknell, who was called up to St. Louis on Christmas Eve, scored the second tally saying, "I'll take that Christmas present any day." Evgeny Grachev scored his first ever NHL goal and added a great celebration. Jason Arnott scored his 3rd power play goal of the season, which leads the team.

Highlights:


The next evening, the Blues dominated the Wings for the first two frames and lead 2-1 late. But Detroit struck fast in the third to steal the game. Pavol Datsyuk scored on a world-class deflection for the go-ahead goal.

The Blues were swarming the Wings through the first two and only goalie Jimmy Howard kept it from being a 4 or 5 goal deficient for the home team. Maybe he should back-up Brian Elliott in the all-star game. Elliot got the nod for the Blues, played a strong game, but took home the loss.

With the two points Detroit leaped over St. Louis to 4th place in the West. The Blues sit in 5th. The top 3 point-getters in the West are from the Central Division (Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis).

The Blues will get a quick shot at revenge as they are right back at Joe Louis Arena Saturday night.

Highlights: