from Michael Russo of the StarTribune,

This time, I really mean it. It seems every year for the past three, I write a column on this being the “Year of the St. Louis Blues.”

Turns out I was just ahead of the game — or completely wrong.

Two years ago, St. Louis’ 109-point season was spoiled in a sweep in the second round by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings. The Kings again dispatched the Blues last season in a hard-fought 4 vs. 5 matchup in Round 1.

This year? Nobody’s beating the Big, Bad Blues.

At 18-4-3, they’re one of the best teams in the NHL, a well-balanced team from top to bottom with four lines that can be rolled, a deep defense corps of six and two great goaltenders in Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott.

Offensively, they rank second. Defensively, they rank fifth. Their power play stands atop the rest. Their home rink has been a place of dominance.

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