For St. Louis fans on May 4, 2025, heartbreak doesn’t come close to describing the emotional gut punch that was the Blues’ devastating late playoff drama against the top-seeded Winnipeg Jets. Clinging to a 3-2 lead in Game 7, a chaotic breakdown in defence allowed Cole Perfetti to slot home a last-gasp equalizer. It proved fatal. Winnipeg would win in double overtime on a deflection by Adam Lowry, turning a would-be Blues triumph into bitter defeat. “It’s brutal,” said captain Brayden Schenn. “A second and a half away from closing out the series…[it] sucks.”
Jordan Binnington #50 of the St Louis Blues is a linchpin to the Blues’ success moving forward Photo by [email protected]
It is little consolation for St. Louis’ devoted supporters but the Blues enjoyed far more success in 2024-2025 than anyone expected. After a rocky 9-13-0 start and the midseason firing of first-time head coach Drew Bannister, few would have predicted a playoff berth, let alone a seven-game battle against the Presidents’ Trophy winners.
The pivotal moment came when GM Doug Armstrong swiftly hired former Bruins coach Jim Montgomery, whose leadership ignited a dramatic second-half resurgence. At the 4 Nations Face-Off break, the Blues sat eight points out of a playoff spot with fading hopes. But what followed was one of the league’s most compelling turnarounds: a 19-4-2 stretch that included a franchise-record 12-game win streak. Much like their legendary 2019 Cup run, St. Louis found its identity late and surged into the postseason, proving their resilience and laying a strong foundation for the future under Montgomery’s guidance.
Building On Last Season’s Success
After an unexpectedly strong finish to the 2024–25 season, the St. Louis Blues enter the offseason with a golden opportunity to build on their momentum. Currently outside the top 10 with bookmakers to go all the way in 2025-2026, odds that will be more keenly observed by fans as the state approves legal online betting midway through the season, General Manager Doug Armstrong knows that to take the next step toward becoming legitimate Stanley Cup contenders, strategic roster upgrades are essential.
Currently priced around 40-1, Blues fans might be keener to learn the odds for the regular season top scorer given the rumours around a potential return of former captain Ryan O’Reilly. Big names like DraftKings and FanDuel are expected to enter the market with the latest on Missouri sports betting regulation suggesting a Dec 1 launch date with up to 14 betting apps. It’ll be interesting to see if O’Reilly, who tallied 53 points last season with a struggling Nashville team, makes the move. His return would not only address a key need but help bridge the franchise’s past and future.
Elsewhere, the defence remains a top priority, and a trade for 25-year-old Rangers blueliner K’Andre Miller could provide the kind of size, youth, and two-way capability the team needs. Other intriguing blue-line targets include LA’s Brandt Clarke and New Jersey’s Simon Nemec. Up front, adding a controllable, high-upside forward like Trevor Zegras could inject creativity and offensive flair into the Blues’ middle six — a calculated risk that may pay off big if the former Ducks star rebounds in a stronger environment.
Renewed Optimism for 2026
While the Blues’ Game 7 heartbreak will sting for years, their 2024–25 resurgence laid the groundwork for something greater. With smart offseason moves and a core united under Jim Montgomery, St. Louis has a real chance to turn near-miss anguish into a sustained push for Stanley Cup contention.
