Against all odds, the Blues did it.

They climbed from the Western Conference cellar, fought their way past team after team and stormed into the NHL playoffs. John Davidson’s vision was finally realized.

They Blues overcome a litany of injuries to achieve the goal coach Andy Murray kept before them.

Long-suffering Blues fans celebrated Friday night at Scottrade Center. They chanted “We want play-offs, we want play-offs” as the Blues rolled to a 3-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

They stood and cheered during the final minute. They chanted “Bluuues.” Mostly, the relished hockey again, after a long and terrible drought for this franchise.

Meanwhile, Minnesota was dumping Nashville 8-4. So the Predators are done and the Blues are headed postseason play for the first time since 2004.

What seed the Blues will get – sixth, seventh or eighth – is still up for grabs.

The Blues played a brilliant clinching game. They raced to a 2-0 lead, pinning the Blue Jackets in their zone and converting the power plays they earned with steady pressure.

Keith Tkachuk saved his best for (almost) last, delivering his first multi-goal game since the season opener.

How appropriate is that? After the Blues opted not to deal him at the trade deadline, Tkachuk became a force down the stretch.

Chris Mason was great in goal, just has he has been for most of the last three months.

Andy McDonald flew around the ice, scoring one power-play goal and assisting on another.

The kid line of Patrik Berglund, T.J. Oshie and David Perron buzzed all night. Checkers Jay McClement, Alex Steen and B.J. Crombeen helped Barret Jackman and Roman Polak keep Rick Nash in check.