They made the Avalanche earn it, and considering the circumstances, that is admirable, but earn it the Avalanche did in the end.

The Blues’ magic from their unforgettable Game 5 comeback in this second-round series against Colorado officially expired Friday night during the final six ticks of the clock.

A game-winner from Darren Helm — as no one but Helm's family and close friends could have predicted — made it 3-2, sent Blues fans grumbling toward the exits and rewarded the Avalanche for all of that ice they tilted toward the Blues for so much of this series.

The wackiness of overtime didn't get a chance to intervene this time. That cold, hard math finally added up. The lesson: When you give a team this dangerous so many chances over a best-of-seven series, a team this dangerous is going to beat you.

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Bypass the Western Conference Final and visit Betway and choose the Colorado Avalanche to win it all. No better option at this point of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.