Greetings, hockey enthusiasts! As we gear up for the start of training camps and the kickoff of NHL games this month, the excitement is palpable. The chase for Lord Stanley’s Cup is about to commence. And while we eagerly anticipate the upcoming season, let’s take a trip down memory lane with our “Since 2000” series. Today, we’re delving into the top-ten St. Louis Blues regular seasons since the turn of the millennium.
After clinching the Presidents’ Trophy in the 1999-2000 season, the Blues set their sights on repeating their success in the following year. Although they fell short of claiming the Presidents’ Trophy and the Central Division title, the Blues still managed to amass an impressive 103 points. Their dominant performance at home, boasting a record of 28-5-5-3, was certainly a highlight of the season.
Legendary players like Pierre Turgeon and Scott Young lit up the scoreboard with over 70 points each, with Young potting an impressive 40 goals. Defensive stalwarts Chris Pronger and Al MacInnis, along with head coach Joel Quenneville, proudly represented the Blue Note at the All-Star Game.
The season got off to a rocky start with a slew of injuries plaguing key players like Erik Johnson, Andy McDonald, and more. Goaltender Manny Legace, coming off an All-Star campaign in 2008, struggled between the pipes and found himself on waivers. By late January, the Blues found themselves languishing in last place, teetering on the edge of another disappointing season.
But the tide began to turn in February with a 6–2–4 surge that propelled the Blues to a .500 record of 26-26-8, inching them closer to a playoff berth. Led by emerging young talent and the stellar play of goaltender Chris Mason, the Blues clawed their way up the standings. They ultimately secured a playoff spot in the penultimate game of the season, finishing as the sixth seed in the highly competitive Western Conference. This playoff appearance marked their first since the 2004-05 lockout.
Fast forward to the 2019-20 season, where the Blues were poised to defend their Stanley Cup title. Despite a shortened 71-game season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Blues turned in one of their strongest regular season performances to date. Even with forward Vladimir Tarasenko sidelined with an injury, the team saw standout seasons from David Perron and Brayden Schenn, both notching 25 goals. In goal, Jordan Binnington and Jake Allen formed a formidable netminding duo. Several key players, including Binnington, Perron, captain Alex Pietrangelo, and the reigning Conn Smythe and Selke Trophy winner Ryan O’Reilly, earned All-Star nods for the game hosted in St. Louis.
As we gear up for the upcoming season, let’s look back at these memorable seasons that have immortalized the St. Louis Blues in NHL history. The journey to greatness continues, and the Blues faithful eagerly await the chance to see their team etch their names in the annals of hockey lore once again.
