The St. Louis Blues could only do so much down the stretch to help their chances of making the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second consecutive year. This time, a nemesis for the season ended the Blues’ hopes.

Not only did the Colorado Avalanche beat the Blues four times this year outscoring them 21-8, they also delivered the final blow to the Blues playoff hopes by beating Vancouver 4-3 on Tuesday to clinch the 8th and final spot in the Western Conference. St. Louis is at Chicago tonight where the Blues play for pride while the Blackhawks play for the top seed in the Western Conference trailing first place San Jose by two points.

The Blues are 11-6 since the Winter Olympics break with two of the losses coming to Colorado.