For the first time in 12 years, the Blues are Central Division Champions. Unfortunately, it was done with a bit of a buzzkill in a 5-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Bad officiating socked the Blues big time —two Columbus powerplay goals on eight chances didn’t help their cause. I’m never one to complain about refs and the like, but tonight was atrocious. The Blues didn’t need their help losing this game, but the officials did them a pretty big solid regardless.
Luckily for the Blues and their lackluster effort tonight, they were rewarded with the Chicago Blackhawks managing to fight off the Nashville Predators hard fought comeback bid to win 5-4. With the win, the Blues clinched their eighth division title in team history. They might slip from the first in the West with a Vancouver win, but there are still three games left in the season, the Blues have home ice advantage in the playoffs, and they’ll have a nice, pretty new banner come opening night next season. It’s easy to get down with a game like tonight, but you have to focus on the big picture here — and the big picture is one of the most successful seasons in franchise history.