The St. Louis Blues continue to win, and their seven-game winning streak has greatly increased their chances of making the playoffs after being out for two years.
After defeating the Montreal Canadiens 6-1 on Tuesday, they have now achieved their longest win streak since November 2022. This is the longest active winning streak in the NHL.
“We’ve just got a recipe that works and a game plan that everybody believes in,” said Dylan Holloway, who has 24 goals in a breakout season. “Guys are playing for each other. It’s a good vibe in here, for sure.”
During this winning stretch, St. Louis has outscored their opponents 36-10 and has only trailed for a total of 5:24. Alexandre Texier feels this is just part of their routine.
“We’ve got a job to do,” said Texier, who like Holloway, scored against Montreal. “This game is over and we think about the next game. We’re not enjoying too much about this momentum. We want to be in the playoffs. We just have to do it every single night.”
Since the season resumed after the 4 Nations Face-Off break, the Blues are 13-2-2, outscoring their opponents 70-38. No team in the NHL has earned more points or scored more goals in that time.
“There’s a pace and a purpose to what they’re doing,” coach Jim Montgomery said. “They’re just doing it naturally. There’s smiles on their faces. They’re loving doing things right.”
The Blues’ approach during the streak has been straightforward. They are strong in the forecheck and work to limit transition chances for their opponents. They also block as many shots as possible.
“It starts with the belief in this group and believing in the process and each other,” said Philip Broberg, who scored a goal and had three assists against Montreal, continuing his great season. “It’s all about hard work.”
Montgomery agreed, calling the team’s effort professional.
“Everyone’s playing well: Our top line, our top six are scoring and playing defense,” Montgomery said. “Our bottom six are scoring and hanging on to pucks and protecting pucks. Our defense has been really solid. The little details have been there throughout the lineup. Everybody’s doing it.”
Montgomery has helped turn things around since replacing fired coach Drew Bannister on Nov. 25 after a 9-12-1 start. However, the Blues were still eight points behind Vancouver for the Western Conference’s second and final wild-card spot when the break ended, and they had not won three games in a row all season.
At that time, it seemed like their playoff drought would extend for another year. But now, it seems like that drought could be over.
“I know it’s a simple answer, but it’s just guys playing hard, playing for one another and playing together,” said captain Brayden Schenn. “They haven’t all been pretty, but we’re finding a way and that’s the most important thing this time of the year. There’s definitely buzz around the city.”
The Blues now have a solid hold on the second wild card in the Western Conference, four points ahead of Calgary and five points ahead of Vancouver. They are now targeting the Wild, who hold the first wild card spot, and are just two points behind them after Minnesota lost 5-1 to Vegas.
All these teams have more games left than the Blues, who have nine games remaining, compared to 12 for the Flames and 11 for the Canucks. Holloway doesn’t think anyone is focusing on how many games others have left.
“Obviously, we know it’s a tight race,” Holloway said. “The biggest thing is we just have to control what we can control. We can’t control other teams. The biggest thing for us is to just keep playing the way we are. It works. We just have to go a game at a time.”
The Blues will play in Nashville on Thursday, hoping to extend their winning streak to eight games.
