The Hockey News released their latest batch of NHL rankings and a familiar team is at the top of the list. Despite injuries littering the roster, the Blues have consistently found ways to win and are battling the Nashville Predators for the top spot in the Central.
Here’s why the Blues are top overall, via THN:
Alex Steen has more than half his points this season (22) in his past 15 games. Meanwhile, the Blues have lost just once in regulation time in 2015. Coming up: The Blues have a Western Conference-best 13-3-2 record against Eastern Conference team and they have one at home against Tampa Bay, then games on the road against Buffalo and Columbus.
Give Steen the credit he deserves. His slow start this season was mostly masked by the heroics of Vladimir Tarasenko and the other members of the STL line, but he has found his form of late and is producing in a big way. Even though other skaters have slowed offensively, Steen has heated up at exactly the right time.
To be completely fair, the Blues have been fortunate. They’ve secured a couple of their wins via the shootout and they’ve faced several weak opponents (Oilers, Maple Leafs, Hurricanes, Avalanche) during their streak. Still, they’ve picked up points when it seemed like two points were out of reach. Consider the big win over the Capitals when the Blues were wrecked by the injury bug and David Backes was booted out of the contest.
Will the success continue? It’s going to be tough. It all depends on the severity of the injuries to Kevin Shattenkirk, Jori Lehtera and yes, even Patrik Berglund. Shattenkirk has been one of the constant driving forces of the Blues this season and a lengthy absence would be difficult to overcome.
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