Wild at Blues Preview: Might they have some momentum?

It took seven games and a 50 save performance from Jordan Binnington, but the Blues finally won it for Bobby. Their 3-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights puts the Blues just three points out of the last playoff spot in the West Division, but ten points behind tonight’s opponent. The Minnesota Wild have been one of the bigger surprises this season. Most everyone expected them to contend for a playoff spot, but more than likely the fourth seed, and certainly by a much narrower margin than they find themselves in third place with right now. They’re 24-12-2 on the season, and have played the weaker opponents in the division very well.

They’ve only met the Blues once this year, and that was a 2-0 shutout loss for the Blues back on March 25th. The Blues played some of their best hockey of the month during that game, but Cam Talbot stood tall in a 37 save shutout. It’s rare to lose a game where you allow your opponent just 11 shots on net, but the Blues managed it.

If the team plays the same way tonight as they did on March 25th, the outcome could be a lot different. The Blues, especially Jordan Binnington, stole Wednesday night’s game from the Golden Knights. In post-game, when asked about the Blues’ turn-around, Jordan Binnington just said “we’re coming.” That’s a little presumptuous after one victory, but the weight lifted off of the Blues’ collective back had to be a huge one. Building on that win with a victory over the Wild, who the Blues play six more times after tonight, would be huge. The team has to manhandle the Wild to get into secure playoff contention. Tonight is as good as any night to keep a win streak alive past one.