For the second consecutive year, the St. Louis Blues are facing elimination in their first-round playoff series against the defending Stanley Cup champions after jumping out to a 2-0 series lead.
On Friday, Jonathan Toews scored in overtime to lift the Blackhawks to a 3-2 overtime victory in Game 5, giving Chicago a 3-2 series lead and putting the Blues on the brink of elimination yet again.
“We’ve done it all year. We’ve gotta do everything in our power to bring this thing back for Game 7. Everybody is a little discouraged, a little down, but (Sunday) we’ll get ourselves ready. I don’t see anything changing,” said Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock, as per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
However, there appears to be some history repeating itself for the Blues.
There are some striking similarities between their first-round series loss to the L.A. Kings last year, and to this current point in their first-round series this year with Chicago.
(And we’re sure you’ve seen the photo circulating on Twitter, but we’ll break it down here, too.)
2013 Playoffs versus L.A. Kings:
Game 1: 2-1 overtime win for St. Louis Blues, Alexander Steen scored the winning goal.
Game 2: 2-1 regulation win for St. Louis Blues, Barret Jackman scored the winning goal.
Game 3: 1-0 shutout regulation loss for St. Louis Blues.
Game 4: 4-3 regulation loss for the St. Louis Blues.
Game 5: 3-2 overtime loss for the St. Louis Blues.
Game 6: 2-1 regulation loss for the St. Louis Blues.
2014 Playoffs versus Chicago Blackhawks:
Game 1: 4-3 triple-overtime win for the St. Louis Blues, Alexander Steen scored the winning goal.
Game 2: 4-3 overtime victory for the St. Louis Blues, Barret Jackman scored the winning goal.
Game 3: 2-0 shutout regulation loss for the St. Louis Blues.
Game 4: 4-3 overtime loss for the St. Louis Blues.
Game 5: 3-2 overtime loss for the St. Louis Blues.
Again, striking similarities. Now, can the Blues alter this, or will history repeat itself in Game 6?
