NHL playoff scores 2016: Fear is a natural thing for Blues fans in the playoffs

St. Louis is about to blow another first round series.

Apr 24, 2016, 12:00 PM UTC

Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

I'm beginning to think the Blues have a complex or something when it comes to the first round of the playoffs.

They’ve finished second or first in the Central Division in each of the last four seasons and only made it out of the first round once. It’s a narrative, yes, but it packs real weight behind it.

Especially since they’re on the brink of repeating history again.

The Blues failed to put the Chicago Blackhawks away in a double-overtime loss in Game 5. On Saturday, they got another chance. And they looked like they were running with it, breaking out to a 3-1 lead after the first period.

And then it got away from them. Again. Chicago dominated every aspect of the game from that point forward, eventually dusting off a 6-3 win and kicking the Blues back home to St. Louis before they knew what had happened.

Some will chalk this up to coaching. They might be right; Vladimir Tarasenko (arguably the Blues' best player) played just 16 minutes and change in the crucial Game 6. Some might chalk it up to psychology. The Blackhawks and the playoffs have gotten to St. Louis' head.

It doesn’t really matter what the reason is for the collapse. It just matters that it could happen again. And it must be the worst feeling of dread in the world for Blues fans. The worst part is the waiting.

Scores

Pittsburgh Penguins 6, New York Rangers 3 (PIT wins series, 4-1)

Anaheim Ducks 5, Nashville Predators 2 (ANA leads series, 3-2)

Chicago Blackhawks 6, St. Louis Blues 3 (Series TIED, 3-3)

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3 things we learned

1. Henrik Lundqvist’s window might have closed

Lundqvist is going to remember these last two games for the rest of his life if a Stanley Cup eludes him. Lundqvist got pulled for the second straight game, leading to a Penguins win and a Rangers elimination. Lundqvist gave up 15 goals in 11 periods of hockey in the series. Otherwise known as "The Exact Opposite Thing You Expect From Henrik Lundqvist." The Rangers are old, expensive and have arguably the worst farm system in the sport. Their window isn't so much a window as it is a wall.

2. Nashville can’t score

Stop me if you've heard that before. You haven't lately; the Predators were red-hot entering the playoffs, and so was their offense. But Filip Forsberg, James Neal and Ryan Johansen have just one goal apiece. No Predator has more than one goal. Colin Wilson leads them in points with four. None of these are good things.

3. Minnesota is preparing a pretty cool Prince tribute