With three straight losses and trade deadline looming, Blues season is on the brink

TEMPE, Ariz. – Maybe things would’ve been different had Justin Faulk’s first-period goal not been nullified by a goaltender interference call on Robert Thomas.

Or if Brayden Schenn would’ve been penalized for knocking the net off its moorings in the third period, instead of Arizona getting credited with a goal during the same sequence.

But you know what? When you lose 5-0, as the Blues did Thursday night to Arizona, one or two plays don’t really make a difference.

Reminiscent of several early-season losses, the Blues played pretty well for a while, and then the bottom fell out. This game was scoreless midway through the second period an even contest all the way around.

And then the Blues collapsed.

“Two turnovers in the second period – in our net. That’s it,” said coach Craig Berube, the disgust obvious in his voice. “And then the third period we come out and get scored on the first shift. With five veteran players on the ice. Game’s over.”

With three losses in a row, and the team dropping to .500 overall at 23-23-3, it’s looking more and more like this season’s on the brink of being over. The Blues are six points out of the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference and seven points out of third place in the Central Division.

With their season reaching a critical stage, in part because the trade deadline is looming, the Blues have been outscored 15-6 in those three losses – all to teams that currently are out of playoff position.

One of those three teams – Buffalo – is making a playoff push after missing the postseason for 11 consecutive seasons. But Chicago and Arizona are two of the worst teams in the league.

“Those are three where you look at the schedule, and all due respect to every team in the league – anyone can beat anyone – but those are the games that you have to play better and grab points,” Schenn said. “And to come away with zero points in those three games it’s obviously tough.”

The Blues finish out this three-game road trip and head into the All-Star break/bye week by stepping up in class. On Saturday, it’s the defending Stanley Cup-champion Colorado Avalanche, who have won six of their last…