With Saturday's 4-0 domination of Colorado at Scottrade Center, the Blues moved into first place in the NHL Central Division. And they were only two points behind Vancouver in the Western Conference standings. This was headline material, at least for a news cycle.
Detroit and Chicago clashed Sunday night, and with the Red Wings' overtime victory, both teams are tied with the Blues at 53 points. There will be few giveaways from the Red Wings and Blackhawks in the Central. And the Western Conference is treacherous, filled with dangerous teams.
At least the Blues are holding their own. They hadn't been in first place in the division this late in a season since January 2001. That wouldn't mean much in Detroit, or even Chicago. But for the Blues, the move into first was symbolically meaningful.
As we know, the Blues haven't won a postseason series since 2002 and have made the playoffs only once over the previous six seasons. Since the start of the 2005-2006 season, and through 2010-2011, the Blues ranked 27th among the 30 NHL teams in winning percentage.
The Blues have endured ownership changes, low-budget payrolls and general turmoil. Coaches have come and gone. Even as the Blues play their best hockey in years, the franchise lacks firm ownership.
The NHL recently terminated the purchase agreement held by Chicago-based money man Matthew Hulsizer, creating a purchase opportunity for team minority owner Tom Stillman.
Stillman, a St. Louisan, loves the Blues. He's a hockey nut who jumps into pickup games. (Scouting report: slow, bad hands, but a willing spirit. We kid, Tom.) If Stillman and his lineup of local financial power forwards can close on the purchase, the Blues would be in the hands of the most passionate and visible owner since Mike Shanahan.
You've never heard Blues players, coaches or executives whine about the chaos and uncertainty at the ownership level. This is no small competitive factor, considering that Detroit (Mike Ilitch) and Chicago (Rocky Wirtz) have stable, wealthy and committed local ownership.
To chairman Dave Checketts' credit, the Blues did spend more on payroll this season. After being near the bottom for several years, they rank around 20th in the NHL this season, and that's helped. The signing of free agents Jason Arnott and Jamie Langenbrunner for a combined $5.6 million has given this team a tougher shell and enhanced leadership.
That said, the Blues remain at a financial disadvantage in trying to keep pace with the bigger bankrolls. Blues president John Davidson and GM Doug Armstrong can't worry about it; they just keep grinding away in the mission of making the Blues better. And they're succeeding.
The decision to bring Ken Hitchcock as coach continues to pay off. Since Hitchcock was given command Nov. 8, the Blues are 18-5-5 and rank fourth in the NHL in winning percentage (.732.)
Under Hitchcock the Blues are ranked second in the NHL in fewest goals allowed and in save percentage. They were 20th in the NHL in goals per game before the change and are 14th since Hitchcock stepped in. Hitchcock is also cleaning up the special teams; the Blues are dramatically improved on their power play and penalty killing.
Hitchcock has been here for 28 games and two months, but he's already the dean of St. Louis coaches and managers. In a previous coaching life, the effectiveness of Hitchcock's immense hockey IQ was at times damaged by his red-faced tantrums and bitter sarcasm.
As leader of the Blues, Hitchcock, 60, has taken a more paternal approach with his players. Team captain David Backes explained why the relationship is working.
"He's kind of a 'I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed' type of guy and that even hurts more," Backes said. "He's like a dad that's disappointed in their kids. He comes in and (says), 'This is unacceptable, we're better than this, I know we are.' That kind of stings your competitiveness.
"Guys made it to this level because they're competitive and they want to win. When you get that statement, we've reacted very well to it and we need to continue to do that. He's been very instrumental."
Hitchcock lets them play. Their headwires aren't tangled in esoteric, overly complex details. They're a full-speed team that doesn't slow at yellow lights. The Blues have averaged more shifts per game than any NHL team with Hitchcock, and the tempo plays to the size-speed composition of the roster. The Blues' wind-sprint hockey can wear out opponents.
This isn't to suggest an absence of strategy. Hardly. Under the new boss, the Blues are much more determined and adept at taking away the middle of the ice.
I can't quantify this with statistics, but it's obvious that opponents are taking more of their shots from the outside, the perimeter. Since Hitchcock implemented his style, only Pittsburgh, San Jose and Philadelphia have allowed fewer shots on goal. No wonder we're seeing Brian Elliott and Jaroslav Halak thrive in goal.
There are many obstacles to clear. After all, it's only Jan. 9. This team clearly could use more scoring punch. That could come in the form of a classic finisher, a natural scorer. (They're in short supply.) Or it could be a matter of finding a guerilla fighter to wedge in nasty goals in front of the net.
The return of injured forwards Andy McDonald and Alexander Steen will be a plus. But you can count on the aggressive Armstrong to be on the prowl for a scorer.
The Blues have greatly benefited from the schedule. Since the coaching change, the Blues have played the most home games in the NHL, and only Anaheim and San Jose have played fewer road games.
After Tuesday's game at Montreal, the Blues will return to Scottrade to play five consecutive home games (and seven of the next eight) on home ice. That's huge, considering that only Detroit has been more successful at home than St. Louis since Hitchcock moved in.
The Blues have to take advantage of the schedule by banking as many points as possible. Beginning Feb. 23, and ending March 25, they'll play 13 of 16 on the road. The Blues, while decent on the road so far, haven't been fully tested. But Hitchcock's presence has raised the collective confidence level.
"After a while you learn that your biggest job as a coach is to give the players hope," Hitchcock said recently.
Hitchcock has done that. The fans feel it, too. Now comes the hard part: The Blues must finish what they've started.
