ST. LOUIS – For the first time in three years, the St. Louis Blues march on to the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Blues clinched the Western Conference’s final spot in the NHL Playoffs with a dominant 6-1 win in Tuesday’s regular season finale over the Utah Hockey Club.

The playoff bid caps off a rollercoaster regular season that featured a midseason coaching change and a late franchise-record 12-game winning streak that powered the team into playoff contention down the stretch.

On Tuesday, moments after the Blues clinched, FOX 2 heard from head coach Jim Montgomery and several key players, reacting to the emotional push for playoffs.

Jim Montgomery

Jim Montgomery, a former player and assistant coach for the team, took over as head coach of the team in late November and propelled the Blues to a 35-18-7 record in his first abbreviated season with the team.

On Tuesday’s Clinch

“It feels really good. And I love the way we did it. We got back to who we are in the first 60 minutes, and the first eight minutes, I knew we were going to win by the way we were playing north and playing at the goal line. … This was the way we were starting games when we were playing well. There was a purpose. There was an intent. We got to our A-game right away.”

What Got The Job Done?

“Great leadership, led by our captain [Brayden Schenn]. I thought consistency by the staff and the players with our communication. And I just thought we grew so much culturally and in our team identity. And those two things, when our players like ‘togetherness,’ words I used, those were words they used. Selfless, sacrifice, love.

“What they’ve learned is what it takes to win in this league. It’s such a great experience to understand the grind, and the mental grind, more than the physical grind, it takes to win battles, to win every foot of ice in this league – it’s the greatest league in the world – in big moments. And being able to come through in big moments, this is going to give us years of good vibes. The experience and learning how to win, it’s not easy to find that in the league.”

Did He Expect Playoffs?

“I thought as soon as I coached the first game against the Rangers, I saw how much depth of talent was here and I thought if we could get to the right places, and our habits and our game management, that we would be able to do this. It took longer than I expected.”

Brayden Schenn

Blues captain Brayden Schenn, a steady voice in the locker room all season, reflected on the belief and selflessness of his teammate, and knows from experience, there is still plenty of work ahead.

On Clinching Playoffs

“This is what you play for. This is what you train for in the summer. This is what you play for all year: To have a chance at the Stanley Cup. We just have to get in and anything can happen. We saw that years ago. At the same time, we can’t just be happy that we’re in. We play Winnipeg. Winnipeg is obviously a good team and present a good challenge for us.

“I don’t think anyone gave us a chance really, at the end of the day where we were [before 4 Nations Break]. I’m glad we kept it together. Too many good pieces in this locker room to not get into the playoffs. We felt if we played hard for one another, we could get the job done. It just took 82 games.”

What Got The Job Done?

“I’ve talked about all along, guys being selfless, playing hard for one another, something we’ve been trying to do for a couple of years now. I think when you start winning hockey games, you start getting more individual results, and guys feel better about themsleves, individually and the team. It’s just a mindset that you have to come in and play for the team, and good things happen when you do that. Nice to be in with some pressure relieved with how the past week has gone and nice to seal it that way.”

On The First-Round Playoff Matchup (Winnipeg Jets)

“Just an exciting time. Everyone looks at Winnipeg. That’s a first-place team in the league. We got a lot of work to do. They’re a good team. They don’t give up much. You don’t really pay attention to Winnipeg a whole lot away, then I started watching when my brother got traded there. They’re a good defensive hockey team with a good goalie. It’s going to be an exciting series, and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

On Playing His Brother (Luke Schenn)

“It’s a weird situation. You never really expect it with all of the teams in the league, where we are at the start of the year, and here we are, St. Louis facing Winnipeg. We’ve been through a lot, both of us throughout our careers. This one adds to it. it’s going to be, I don’t even know how to describe it. We’re both physical guys, we bot play physical in the playoffs. Anything could happen we might get some screaming from mom and dad, if we go too hard.”

Jimmy Snuggerud

Jimmy Snuggerud, the Blues’ 2022 first-round pick, made the jump from college hockey to the pros just two weeks ago. Now, he has the rare opportunity to compete in playoffs at both levels in the same season. Snuggerud also scored his first NHL goal on Tuesday.

On Clinching Playoffs

“It’s cool. You grow up watching this hockey. The dream goal is to play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. To have this group in here to do it with, it’s so special. It should be a fun upcoming few weeks.”

On His Fast Path To NHL

“It’s cool. Honestly, you think of it as a player, to join this team and have the guys who brought me in has been really lucky. Like I said, the older guys brought me in so well, Schenner and Faulker and everyone honestly. There hasn’t been one misfit, and I get to know the younger guys being called up, Boldy and everyone here, it’s really fun honestly. Winning hockey games is really fun and especially to be a part of it.”

“As a player, you just try to go about your business, meet new guys. Obviously, I’ve heard so many good things about St. Louis and to even top that, just the amount of guys who have brought me in, kind of made me part of the team. It’s been really special. It’s honestly as good time to be a St. Louis Blue.”

On His First NHL Goal

“It was cool. I got the chills a little bit. Obviously, a special moment. It’s so fun to be doing it with all these guys in the locker room too.”

Cam Fowler

Cam Fowler, a longtime Anaheim Ducks defenseman acquired in a midseason trade, became a trusted voice on the ice and in the locker room, and he feels a strong connection with his new team.

On Clinching Playoffs

“That’s what we all play for. We all want to have the opportunity to compete for the Stanley Cup. That’s what we’ve been fighting for as a team. I’m happy to have that opportunity just like everybody else. We’ve worked really hard for this, the last couple of months especially. Now we just have to settle in here for the next few days and appreciate the opportunity we have and get ready for a pretty big challenge.”

What’s Worked For Him In St. Louis?

“There’s a lot that goes into it. We looked at the makeup of the team and where I could come in and try to make an impact. You just look at the players they have, guys that have won the Stanley Cup, World Class goaltending, high-end players offensively. I just felt like this was a good fit for me and my family, and I’m very grateful they trusted me to come in here and help this team. It’s been a heck of a ride for the last few months and I feel like I’ve been here much longer than that based on how everyone’s treated me, the guys we have in this locker room. I’m thankful for that and look forward to the opportunity to play in the playoffs again.”

Pavel Buchnevich

Pavel Buchnevich, a soft-spoken forward who reached 20 goals for his fifth straight season, feels the team camaraderie is strong and the locker room feels energized heading into playoffs.

On Clinching Playoffs

“I feel like [the 4 Nations Break] really helped us. Everybody was getting set, thinking how to get the game going, and we start playing for each other. There’s support everywhere. Sacrifice, blocking shots. You look at all the lines, everybody’s contributing. To become a team everybody likes to be around, it’s positive energy every time. And that’s helped us.”

On The Road Ahead

“I don’t think there’s nobody that makes playoffs that doesn’t deserve to be. All [playoff-bound] teams are good. We want to win. We had a streak going before, 12 games, make some noise in the league, and I feel like team ahead for us [facing the Winnipeg Jets], they’re a good team too.

“We love the game and building the system. Everyone pumps you up around the bench. It’s a good time to be the St. Louis Blues.”