In case you weren’t sure if the NHL playoffs were set to begin in St. Louis, read Jake Wagman’s story in today’s Post-Dispatch and you’ll be convinced.

I asked Blues forward T.J. Oshie this afternoon if he had any interest in the O’Fallon mayor job, and he wasn’t sure he was a fit for the position.

“I haven’t heard anything about (the election),” Oshie said. “I don’t know how political I am, so I don’t know how good I would be on making too many decisions. But I like the fan support.”

I asked if he had enough time to run an election with the playoffs starting tonight in Vancouver?

“I don’t know . . . it’s my first time,” Oshie joked.

If you still need to be convinced that it’s playoff time, check out these pictures . . .

Oshie on the media presence in Vancouver: “We’re excited. We don’t get as much media attention as some of the Canadian teams. We’re not used to it, but it’s not getting old for us at all.”

Oshie will get even more attention when the game starts.

“We’re going to be just as hard on those guys,” Vancouver’s Shane O’Brien said. “That Oshie. He plays hard, but if I’m out there against him, every chance I get I’m going to try and make it as hard as I can on him. I’m going to try to put him through the boards every time because that’s how he plays and I respect how he plays. If you’re going to give it out, you’ve got to take it. And he’s one of those guys we’re going to focus on. And that Patrik Berglund,  we’re going to play him hard as well.”
Oshie’s reponse:
“I’m ready for it and ready to give it back. I expect this to be the most physical game of the year. Some of us might be nervous, but we’re excited to get in our first game and show what we can do.”

JR