2013 Western Conference Finals vs Los Angeles Kings

Lore & Background

For Blues fans, this first-round series represents a bitter early end to a promising season. After years of rebuilding, the team entered the playoffs with high expectations but was quickly dispatched by the Kings, who would go on to lose in the Western Conference Finals to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks. The narrative centered on the chemistry between David Backes, T.J. Oshie, and Brian Elliott, who carried the team against a Kings squad loaded with talent like Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty. The rivalry intensified due to contrasting styles: St. Louis relied on gritty forechecking and veteran savvy, while Los Angeles utilized speed and Jonathan Quick's legendary goaltending. The emotional stakes were incredibly high in St. Louis, transforming the Enterprise Center into a fortress of hope. Even in defeat, the performance validated the management's direction, proving that patience could yield a team capable of challenging for the Cup. This series is often viewed through the lens of 'what if,' particularly regarding injuries that hampered the Blues. Yet, it remains a foundational memory for the fanbase, illustrating the thin line between glory and heartbreak in professional hockey.

In Their Own Story

The locker room was quiet after Game Six, save for the sound of tape being peeled from sticks. Halak sat on the bench, staring at his skates, replaying the overtime loss in his mind. The crowd's roar still echoed faintly through the walls of the arena they had just left behind. It wasn't defeat that hung heavy in the air; it was the realization of how close they had come to breaking a forty-year curse.

Reader's Guide

The series began with a shock in St. Louis as Los Angeles took the first two games behind Jonathan Quick’s shutout dominance. The Blues rallied at Staples Center, splitting the next two contests to force the rubber match back home. Game Five saw intense overtime drama, but the Kings edged out another victory to take a commanding lead. In the decisive Game Six in LA, Jaroslav Halak stood tall again, making spectacular saves to keep St. Louis alive through regulation. The atmosphere was electric yet tense as both teams traded chances in a tightly contested battle. When the overtime period arrived, exhaustion weighed on every skater. Despite heroic efforts from David Backes and T.J. Oshie, the Blues could not find the equalizer or the winner against Quick’s net. The final horn sounded a bitter end to their deepest playoff run since 1986. While the trophy eluded them, this series cemented the core group as contenders. It proved St. Louis belonged among the NHL elite, setting an emotional foundation for future success years later.

Did You Know?

• This was the first time the Blues faced the Kings in the playoffs since 1998.
• Jonathan Quick won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP after leading the Kings to the Western Conference Finals.
• Andy McDonald, a key contributor in this series, retired in 2014 and was never traded to Calgary.
• The Blues' core group from this run eventually returned to win the franchise's first Stanley Cup in 2019.