The St. Louis Blues are in California tonight to take on the Los Angeles Kings in what can be considered a must-win game.
While most outcomes of tonight’s game still leave the Blues with very slim odds of making the playoffs, a loss would almost put the nail in the coffin.
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According to moneypuck.com, the Blues currently have a 4.8 percent chance of making the playoffs. That number falls to 1.4 percent if they lose in regulation and 3.0 percent if they are defeated in overtime or a shootout, according to Mike Meyer. If they win in regulation, their chances jump to 9.0 percent, and an overtime/shootout win increases their odds to 7.1 percent.
Needless to say, the Blues have a tough hill to climb either way, but a loss gives them little to no hope.
The Blues suffered a heartbreaking loss to the San Jose Sharks on Monday. The Blues tied the game at 4-4 after trailing by a pair of markers, but with 22 seconds remaining, the Blues gave up an odd-man rush, and Adam Gaudette squeaked a shot past Joel Hofer to give the Sharks a late 5-4 lead.
The Blues were unable to tie it and lost in regulation. That result witnessed the Sharks spring two points ahead of the Blues, and the Blues now trail the Nashville Predators by four points for the second wild card spot. Additionally, four teams are ahead of the Blues in the race for the wild card spot.
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One of those teams sitting ahead of the Blues is the Kings, who are just one point back of the Predators with a game in hand. The Kings and Blues have squared off twice this season, with the Kings winning both contests after regulation.
The importance of this game cannot be understated, which should lead to a spirited affair with plenty of great hockey.
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