The glory years of the St. Louis Blues continue to be the first three years of their existence as an expansion team from the Class of 1967 when the NHL doubled in size from six to 12 teams. The Blues made the Stanley Cup Final three straight seasons from 1968 through 1970 thanks in large part to the goaltending tandem of veterans Jacques Plante and Glen Hall. Hall and Plante would have been in retirement had there not been expansion, but instead won a Vezina Trophy together as the top goaltending duo in the NHL for 1968-69.
Fast forward 45 years and the Blues have returned to that formula with future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur now between the pipes after a distinguished career with the New Jersey Devils.
First W
Brodeur has had mixed results in his first two games with the Blues as he lost his first start at Nashville last week before picking up a win on Saturday at the New York Islanders after coming off the bench in relief of Jake Allen. The Blues rallied from a 3-0 deficit to win the game 6-4 as Brodeur stopped 14 out of 15 shots. The 42 year old had a subpar .872 save percentage after those two games but the win at New York stirs up confidence that he can still deliver the goods, at least on a part time basis.
Will he stay or will he go?
What the Blues will do long term with Brodeur remains the big question. Right now his presence is required as top netminder Brian Elliott is on the shelf with a lower body injury. Brodeur and Allen will split time until Allen returns. If Brodeur plays well he would serve as the perfect trade bait but if he plays well why would they want to trade him as he has three Stanley Cup championships on his resume?
Doubts Remain
The Blues are at the peak of their Stanley Cup window and are “all in” as a result. Head coach Ken Hitchcock is in the final year of his contract. Last year’s playoff loss to the arch rival Chicago Blackhawks remains a bitter disappointment, especially after the Blues took a 2-0 series lead at home. The Blues acquired veteran Ryan Miller as the proverbial missing piece to their questionable goaltending lineup and he failed to deliver. Now Brodeur is the man that may take them back to the future and into June for a shot at their first Stanley Cup.
