Ken Hitchcock is in jeopardy of losing in the first round for the third consecutive season. (Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY Sports)
The St. Louis Blues are playing to avoid elimination and perhaps save coach Ken Hitchcock’s job when they face the Minnesota Wild in today’s Game 6 (3 p.m., NBC) of their Western Conference quarterfinal.
The Wild lead the best-of-seven series 3-2, and if the Blues are eliminated in the first round, they will be perceived as a team that underachieved. Hitchcock, in his fourth season in St. Louis, could be blamed for that failure.
It would be easy for general manager Doug Armstrong to move in a new direction because Hitchcock’s contract expires this summer. Plus, several quality candidates are available, including Todd McLellan, Dan Bylsma and Randy Carlyle. Claude Julien’s status also seems to be up in the air in Boston and Mike Babcock’s contract is expiring in Detroit.
In fairness to Hitchcock, the Wild own the NHL’s best winning percentage since mid-January, when they acquired goalie Devan Dubnyk. If Minnesota downs St. Louis, it has the potential to win the Stanley Cup.
But if the Blues lose, it would be their third consecutive first-round exit. Under Hitchcock, the Blues have posted a cumulative 175-79-27 record, but they have won one playoff series in four seasons.
Hitchcock was fired after four seasons in Columbus and was in his fourth season when he was fired in Philadelphia.
It wouldn’t take much for the Blues to turn this series around. Both teams have scored 13 goals in the series. The Blues have been better 5-on-5, but the Wild have been better on the power play. This series has had few scoring chances, with both teams averaging less than 26 shots per game.
Your games today
St. Louis Blues at Minnesota Wild, 3, NBC: If Minnesota wins, it wraps up the series and plays the Chicago Blackhawks in the second round.
Montreal Canadiens at Ottawa Senators, 6, NBC Sports Network: If the Senators win, they force a Game 7 in Montreal. The Canadiens would play the winner of the Tampa Bay-Detroit series if they win.
Follow the rest of USA TODAY Sports’ in-depth NHL coverage at nhl.usatoday.com.
