They're finally singing to a different tune in St. Louis.
For the first time in four seasons, the Blues won a playoff series, finishing off the defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks with a 3-2 win in Game 7 at Scottrade Center on Monday. It was Troy Brouwer who scored the go-ahead goal 8:31 into the third period, and the Blues fended off a furious rally from Chicago that included a heart wrenching double-post Brent Seabrook near-goal that would have tied the game in the closing minutes.
MORE: 10 longest OT games in NHL playoffs history | Is St. Louis truly a Stanley Cup contender?
It's the Blues' first Game 7 win since 1999, which isn't so shocking when you consider they last advanced to the second round of the playoffs in the 2011-12 season.
Since then, it's been a stretch of notoriously disappointing playoff runs and squandered Stanley Cup aspirations, with St. Louis' season ending in the first round each of the last three seasons.
It wasn't just that the Blues lost those series, it was how. In blowout fashion, usually, following unexpectedly lackluster performances. But they eradicated the label of playoff choker that's hung over the team since Ken Hitchcock took over as coach.
St. Louis will face Hitchcock's old team, the Central Division-winning Dallas Stars, in the second round.
Win or lose, already sporting a hard-fought series win over the three-times-in-six-years champion Blackhawks, it would be difficult to imagine a scenario in which these playoffs end in the same vein as years past for the dangerous-looking Blues.
Three stars
3. Brian Elliott, Blues — Elliott was stellar all series and didn't disappoint when it mattered most, stopping 31 of 33 shots, including a few of the standing-on-his head variety with the Blues clinging to a one-goal lead. The goalie heads to the second round of the playoffs sporting a 2.40 goals-against average and .929 save percentage, numbers that would be even better if you overlook Game 6.
2. Pekka Rinne, Predators — After three regrettable performances in games 3-5, Rinne rebounded in a big way Monday with 26 saves on 27 Ducks shots to help the Predators force a Game 7. They'll need him to be brilliant once more on Wednesday.
1. Troy Brouwer, Blues — A member of the Blackhawks' 2010 Cup-winning roster, Brouwer has the playoff-tested mettle the Blues have missed in recent years. He showed why, getting to the net and following through on the eventual winning goal — his first of the playoffs.
Whacking. Banging. Taking the lead. This game is insane. #Game7 # StanleyCup https ://t.co/ycnoQgrMdD
— #StanleyCup Playoffs (@NHL) April 26, 2016
Highlight
The Blackhawks came this close to forcing overtime. Music to Elliott's ears.
both posts and out pic.twitter.com/t3fCFFDHXG
— Stephanie (@myregularface) April 26, 2016
Wednesday's game to watch
Predators at Ducks, Game 7, 10 p.m. ET, NBCSN (Series tied 3-3) — With no hockey Tuesday, all eyes shift to what will be the final game of the first round, and it's an always-entertaining Game 7. Sporadic goalie play has allowed this series to go back and forth, so it could come down to Rinne or Frederik Andersen.
