Blues' Playoff Hopes Take a Hit with Frustrating Shootout Loss to Kraken

The St. Louis Blues' quest for a wild-card spot in the Western Conference took a significant hit on Tuesday night, as they suffered a heartbreaking shootout loss to the Seattle Kraken. The 3-2 defeat has left the Blues reeling, and their postseason aspirations are now hanging by a thread. In this article, we'll delve into the details of the game and explore what this loss means for the Blues' playoff chances.

The Blues came into the game against the Kraken with a sense of urgency, knowing that every point counts in the tight wild-card race. However, they were unable to capitalize on their chances, and the Kraken's impressive goaltending proved to be the difference-maker. Seattle's goalie, Philipp Grubauer, made 35 saves in regulation and overtime, including several spectacular stops to deny the Blues' top scorers.

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading chances and neither able to gain a clear advantage. The Blues' Ryan O'Reilly and David Perron scored in regulation, but the Kraken's Jordan Eberle and Jared McCann responded with goals of their own. The game ultimately went to a shootout, where the Kraken's Matt Beniers scored the decisive goal to seal the win for Seattle.

What This Loss Means for the Blues

The Blues' loss to the Kraken has significant implications for their playoff hopes. With the defeat, they remain stuck in the wild-card chase, trailing the Nashville Predators and the Vegas Golden Knights. The Blues have 10 games remaining in the regular season, and they'll need to win at least 7 or 8 of those games to have any chance of sneaking into the playoffs.

The Blues' inability to capitalize on their chances against the Kraken was a major factor in the loss. They outshot Seattle 37-25, but were unable to find the back of the net when it mattered most. The team's power play, which has been a strength all season, was also ineffective, going 0-for-4 on the night.

A Glimmer of Hope

While the loss to the Kraken was a setback, the Blues can take some solace in the fact that they played a strong game overall. They outplayed the Kraken for much of the night, and were unlucky not to come away with two points. If they can build on this performance and find a way to capitalize on their chances, they may still have a chance to sneak into the playoffs.

The Blues' next game is against the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday night. A win in that game would be a crucial step towards getting back into the wild-card chase. The Blues will need to come out strong and take advantage of their chances if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive.

In conclusion, the Blues' shootout loss to the Kraken was a frustrating one, but it's not the end of the world. The team still has a chance to make a push for the playoffs, and they'll need to regroup and refocus for their next game against the Coyotes. With a strong performance and a bit of luck, the Blues can still make a run at the postseason. Note: This article is for general information purposes only and is not intended to be taken as professional advice.