Blues lose, still clinch Central Division title

[redbird89]

The Blues clinched the Central Division title on Saturday night, their first division title since 2000 and just their second since 1987, and they did it despite losing 5-2 to Columbus at Scottrade Center.

Nashville's 5-4 loss at home to Chicago gave the Blues the title, but the loss will hurt the Blues' chances of taking the top spot in the Western Conference and to win the Presidents' Trophy. It's the second straight loss for the Blues and just their fifth at home this season.

Columbus upped thge lead to 4-2 on an extended five-on-3 power play. Kent Huskins went off for hooking, then David Backes went off 22 seconds later for roughing and Alex Pietrangelo went off 17 seconds later for slashing and unsportsmanlike conduct.

Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/sports/hocke...#ixzz1qltH03Vo

Glad to clinch, but we still need to start winning again.

[metsfaninSTL]

We got at least a 2 seed also

[asmarks18]

Need to get it together the last 3 games.

[carson005]

Fell out of 1st place though. Will come down to the wire between Blues/Nucks.

[asmarks18]

Carson, did you see your boy, BJFD's sig? Thats what he gets for doubting the Blues as legit title contenders

[carson005]

Carson, did you see your boy, BJFD's sig? Thats what he gets for doubting the Blues as legit title contenders

I had sigs turned off but I turned them on to see

What was the bet?

[TheRyanExpress]

Great to see them win the Central division. You can say they 'backed' into the division title, but the Blues put themselves in position to win it even if they backslid a bit.

Still 3 games to right the ship. With all the injured players back, it may take a bit to get that chemistry down. I just hope this is the 'getting it out of their system' phase of the season.

The one thing that does concern me is that the Blues aren't dictating the play like they did when they dominated for stretches this season. Hitch called it 'reactionary' in a recent story by JR in the P-D. Whether teams have figured out the system or the Blues are just coasting until the playoffs, I'm not sure, but hopefully that gets fixed soon.

[asmarks18]

I had sigs turned off but I turned them on to see

What was the bet?

He bet me that the Blues would finish 5th or worse in the WC standings.

[carson005]

He bet me that the Blues would finish 5th or worse in the WC standings.

Tough loss for him, I kept waiting for the Blues to fade as well. Thought the Red Wings would win the division, but the Blues continue to win games their way. Hitchcock is a shoe in for the Adams trophy.