After decades upon decades of success, St. Louis Blues hockey hit rock bottom last season. The Blues failed to qualify for the postseason for the first time in more than two decades. The squad occupied the cellar in the NHL’s Western Conference for most of last year.

At the onset of this season, things were not looking too promising for this once proud franchise as they stumbled once again out of the gates.

But the dismissal of Mike Kitchen and the hiring of Andy Murray in early December has brought new life to the team. Both the quality and intensity of play have picked up since Murray took over the bench.

The roster, laden with experienced veterans like Bill Guerin and Keith Tkachuk, along with talented youngsters like Lee Stempniak, is finally beginning to gel.?

With the soon-to-be arrival of top prospect and number-one overall pick Erik Johnson, hopefully the dawning of a new playoff streak is in the not-too-distant future. But, in the meantime, head on down to Scottrade as the Blues make a second-half push for the postseason.