Craig Berube
St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington, right, makes a save on a shot by Colorado Avalanche's Conor Timmins (22) as Blues' Niko Mikkola (77) defends during the second period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, May 23, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Blues bound for change after 'embarrassing' 1st-round sweep

By Stephen Whyno May. 24, 2021 04:18 PM EDT

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon is congratulated as he passes the team box after scoring his second goal of night, during the third period of Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, in Denver. Colorado won 6-3. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
MacKinnon records hat trick, Avs beat Blues 6-3 in Game 2

By Pat Graham May. 20, 2021 01:47 AM EDT

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, right, checks St. Louis Blues left wing Jaden Schwartz in the corner in the first period of Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Monday, May 17, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
NHL clears Blues, Golden Knights after virus testing errors

By Stephen Whyno And Pat Graham May. 19, 2021 03:01 PM EDT

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer heads back to the net during a timeout in the first period of Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the St. Louis Blues, Monday, May 17, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
MacKinnon, Grubauer lift Avs to 4-1 win over Blues in Game 1

By Pat Graham May. 18, 2021 01:12 AM EDT

Colorado Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon (29) defends against St. Louis Blues' David Perron (57) during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
Avalanche use 3 goals in second period to beat Blues 4-3

By Joe Harris Apr. 14, 2021 11:25 PM EDT

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Kurtis MacDermid (56) and Anaheim Ducks left wing Nicolas Deslauriers (20) square up for a fight during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Tensions rising: NHL multigame series ratchet up animosity

By Stephen Whyno Feb. 11, 2021 06:03 PM EST

St. Louis Blues' Ryan O'Reilly, left, watches a puck sail over goalie Joel Hofer during NHL hockey training camp Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, in Maryland Heights, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Blues eager to restart another run after '20 disappointment

By Joe Harris Jan. 05, 2021 06:29 PM EST

St. Louis Blues players celebrate a goal against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period of an NHL Western Conference Stanley Cup playoff series, in Edmonton, Alberta, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
Defending champion Blues found trouble in bubble

Aug. 22, 2020 03:01 AM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 13, 1990 file photo, Boston Bruins defenseman Ray Bourque (77) reaches over the back of Hartford Whaler Dean Evason (12) trying to get to the puck behind Boston's goal during first period action in the Boston. The NHL hasn't had best-of-five playoff series since 1986. That's changing for this year with the league expanding to 24 playoff teams as part of its restart. The qualifying round will feature 16 teams facing off in best-of-five series to determine who moves on. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia, File)
Throwback 5-game series force players to 'embrace the grind'

By Stephen Whyno Jul. 29, 2020 10:35 AM EDT