MinnesotaIn Game 6, they lost 5-1 against them in the Stanley Cup playoff series. St. LouisOn Thursday, the Blues lost the best-of-7 3-2. The Blues are now in the playoffs for the first time since 2019, when the franchise won its first-ever Stanley Cup. They will take on the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. They will face the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. Colorado AvalancheIn the second round.
The Wild have not reached the playoffs since 2014-15. They lost in round one each of the five previous times they qualified.
Minnesota held a 2-1 advantage over St. Louis in Game 3 to take control of the series. The Wild lost the next three games, going on to lose them all by a combined score 15-5.
Dean Evanson, Wild coach turned from to try and avoid elimination Marc-Andre FleuryTo Cam TalbotFor Game 6, in net Fleury was acquired by Minnesota at the deadline for trades. However, the Vezina Trophy winner was especially leaky in Game 4 (.875SV%, 4.10 GAA).
Talbot hadn’t suffered a regular season defeat since March 1, but was still ahead of Fleury in order to begin the playoffs. Thursday was Talbot’s first game since April 28.
St. Louis took advantage, and challenged Talbot. Nick LeddyThe Blues won the first game 1-0, while St. Louis won the second. Ryan O’Reilly, Tyler Bozak Vladimir TarasenkoIn just nine minutes, you can score.
Matt DumbaMinnesota’s only goal was recorded in the third period, but the Wild didn’t gain more momentum. Colton ParaykoSt. Louis was finally successful with an empty goal.
Talbot ended the season with 22 saves, and a.846 SV%.
St. Louis did not wait too long for Minnesota to change its goalie. After Game 3, the Wild took a 2-1 lead. Blues’ coach was not pleased. Craig BerubeThe switch was made from Ville HussoTo Jordan BinningtonIn the crease. Binnington was not able to win a postseason start (0-9 since St. Louis won in 2019), but his 28 save performance secured the Blues’ victory in Game 4, and gave the team new life.
Binnington saved 25 shots in Game 6, and only allowed five goals in three games for the Blues to advance to the next round.
Minnesota’s offense was just getting dried up, even though Binnington was constantly closing the door. Outside of Kirill KaprizovThe series was won by a record 7 goals and 8 points by Corey, who led the team with 7 goals and 8 points. Joel Eriksson EkThe Wild scored three goals and five points, but few other forwards made much of an impact. St. Louis produced far more balanced scoring. Multiple players scored three or more goals in the series.