It is interesting how little the St. Louis Blues seem to be figuring into Stanley Cup prognostications, despite a 45-22-9 record that is tied for top in the Western Conference.
Whether it's a case of Blues fatigue or just plain mistrust, it is clear the past three seasons' first-round knockouts have left a stain on the reputation of a team that has had an absolutely wonderful season by all accounts.
Whatever the case, they're not the chosen ones, media-wise, entering this postseason.
Maybe that's fair. That's how it is. They don't get the benefit of the doubt until they prove it when it matters.