In this little corner of the internet where the easily offended dare not tread, we have been swept up in a playoff race in which the Blues find themselves involved.  While the possibility of the playoffs looms large, it will be a difficult and taxing endeavor to make them considering the NHL feels it necessary to send the Blues on the road for the majority of the final 20 every year.  While I know the team is going to be working, fighting, and scratching to get into the playoffs I put this question to the fans, “What do you want to see happen?”  As I see it, there are pretty much four scenarios that will play out at the end of the year, but only one of which I want to see. 

Scenario #1 is the Blues fall off the edge and they lose a lot in the final couple weeks.  While we have seen this happen before, something about this bunch of kids leads me to believe that this is the most unlikely of the four  scenarios.  They seem to work too hard and they are always in the game near the end (except for a recent game against (fuck) Detroit).    

Scenario #2 ties into scenario #1, this being the Blues play tough and just fall short of the playoffs.  There are some out there that would prefer to see this happen as many think we will not fare well in the playoffs against one of the two juggernauts in the West, and barely missing the playoffs may make a young team even hungrier next year.  This may inspire them to come out charging like the four horseman leaving destruction in their wake as they take on the Western conference next year.  While that sort of imagery seems appealing for next year, I dare say that most on the boards would prefer the Blues to have a shot at the ultimate prize this year.  After all not many teams are playing better since mid January as the stats would indicate.

This brings us to scenario #3, the Blues play the Sharks in the first round of the playoffs.  I will preface this by saying that the guys from “Fear the Fin” are quality people that seem to understand what being a hockey fan is all about.  They love their team, do not act like asshats, and are generally likeable.  The San Jose Sharks however are the team that knocked the Blues out of the playoffs after they had just won the President’s cup and giving them a receipt for that does have a certain appeal.  There is also the fact that, being 2-1-1 against the Sharks, the Blues have had some success so there may be more confidence against them since they know they can beat them (although the Sharks also have a 2-1-1 record against the Blues.)  However, my vote is going to scenario #4.

Scenario #4 is the Blues face off against the Red Wings in the first round.  You may ask, “Why the hell would you want to play a team that has dominated the Blues this year?”  My reasoning is simple.  I want the Blues to prove to themselves and the rest of the NHL that they are no longer afraid of the Red Wings.  As a Blues fan I am begging for this scenario.  Do I think we can beat them?  The task is daunting but not impossible.  The mountain is treacherous, but climbable.  The Red Wings are a very good team.  As much as it pains me to type that sentence, it is the truth.  They have talent, they can score, and they are just flat out good.  However, the Blues can be a very tough opponent when they are on their game.  They may lose the series, but if they play hard and win a few games, even if they lose the series, this would inspire a lot of confidence for the next season knowing that they can go up to the bully, take their best shot, and punch them right back in the face.  If the Blues manage to play as good as they are capable and beat the Wings, how good will it feel to know that we just KO’d the champ and made them have to spend more time in Detroit than they had planned to this summer.

So I ask the Blues fans, what do you want to see happen.  I know I am hoping and praying for Detroit.  I ask the hockey gods to please give the Blues Detroit and let them show the rest of the NHL how scary the boys at 14th and Brett Hull Way can be.