May 25, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski (8) scores against St. Louis Blues goalie Brian Elliott (1) and defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (27) during the first period in game six of the Western Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose.Kelley L Cox/The Associated Press
A pair of seven-game series wins might have taken a toll on the St. Louis Blues.
The Blues made their first conference final since 2001, but had trouble putting away the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks in the first round after taking a 3-1 series lead. They also missed a chance to close out the second round at home in Game 6 against the Dallas Stars, And home ice never really was an edge for a team that last made a Stanley Cup final in 1970 – a franchise that has never won a Cup.
"If you're going to look at one aspect, it's our inability to close off those first two series and get the rest San Jose got by closing off L.A. so early," coach Ken Hitchcock said after the 5-2 Game 6 loss Wednesday in San Jose sent the Blues packing. "[It] ended up really hurting us in this series."
Hitchcock twice changed goalies in an effort to rouse his team, and it worked once in a resurgent Game 4 victory. Otherwise, the Blues never mustered enough offence, twice getting shut out.
They totalled 13 goals against the Sharks – six of those in their high-water-mark Game 4 victory.
"We're not taking anything away from that team," captain David Backes said. "But when we play our game the way that we can play it, for the full game, it gives anybody fits."
The Blues rarely found that level, perhaps because of the fatigue factor. They were 4-6 at the Scottrade Center despite a string of vociferous standing-room crowds.
"It didn't ruin things," forward Troy Brouwer said. "We fought real hard during the regular season to try and get home-ice advantage; it turned out we were better on the road."
As for next season's Blues, questions abound.
The 32-year-old Backes led by example in the most productive post-season of his career by far. Re-signing him should be a priority. He had seven goals, equalling his total from five previous playoff experiences. Troy Brouwer, also 32, was a nice fit. He's also coming off an eye-opening playoff run after a solid regular season. , and cost the Blues T.J. Oshie in a deal with Washington.
"Hopefully, this group can stay together because I think we have a really good opportunity," Brouwer said. "I loved playing with these guys."
And what will happen to Hitchcock? He's Hitchcock is also is a free agent, coming off a one-year contract after the Blues' third straight first-round dismissal last spring. He guided the team to a 107-point season, third-best overall in the NHL, working with a roster beset with injuries to key players, and was instrumental in helping end that early-exit stigma.
After the finale, Hitchcock said he'd wait a couple days to talk to the team. Then, maybe, the players can feel better about a breakthrough season that finally rewarded a long-suffering core that includes Backes, Brian Elliott, Alex Pietrangelo, Alexander Steen and Patrik Berglund.
"They've bonded together here better than any team I've coached in the last 10 years," Hitchcock said. "They need their time together. They don't need me interrupting them right now."