DENVER — They played eight preseason games, then waited around for eight days while the rest of the NHL played hockey games.
So to say the St. Louis Blues were anxious to get going would be understatement. It was worth the wait. The Blues opened the 2021-22 season on the right foot, defeating the rival Colorado Avalanche, 5-3, Saturday at Ball Arena.
The Blues were facing a depleted Avalanche roster, minus stars Nathan MacKinnon (COVID) and Gabriel Landeskog (suspension). But no sympathy from the visitors. Not with memories of getting swept in four games with a roster depleted by injury and COVID last season in the playoffs against the Avs.