ACKERMAN: Yo, Nashville. Here comes St. Louis

St. Louis Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo
Photo credit (Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports)

ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Greetings from Beer City.

[raises glass to lips, takes sip>

Hey there, Nashville. Listen, it's all been cute. The orchestrated chants about the opposing goaltender. The scoreboard telling you when to cheer. The mustard-colored sweaters.

It's time to turn things back over to a real hockey city. You know, the one with better food? And beer.

[takes another sip>

St. Louis.

We needed a nickname like your "Music City," so if you don't mind, we're going to take that idea and create "Beer City." Just like we took two games from you last weekend.

Truth be told, Nashville, you're not all that bad. Broadway is cool. Your music, bars and people are a lot of fun. Folks are moving to your city every day and we're envious of that. We're trying to get there.

But our hockey fans – you know, the Blues fans who have lived and died with this franchise for more than 50 years – are really, really tired of your hockey fans. Tired of your hockey TEAM, actually. We'd better get used to each other, though. Because it's becoming very apparent that we're going to see each other in the playoffs.

The Blues took care of business last weekend, winning 3-2 over the Predators in St. Louis on Saturday ... and then turning around and claiming a 5-4 overtime win in Nashville the following afternoon. Vladimir Tarasenko did the honors, burying the OT winner just seconds into the extra time.

We guarantee that your Monday will be better if you watch this video. #stlblues | @enterprise pic.twitter.com/dMN1oDNWCX

— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) February 11, 2019

But wait! The Preds have a complaint! Tarasenko benefitted from a fortunate bounce off the faceoff, according to Predators center Ryan Johansen.

"It's too bad. I thought it was a very unfair draw at the end of the game, where he (the referee) drops the puck and my stick's not down ... and he's skating away like it doesn't matter," Johansen said to reporters after the game.

Ryan Johansen was NOT a fan on the OT puck drop.Called it “unfair” and a mistake like that needs to be addressed #Preds pic.twitter.com/sys2p76ivs

— Justin Beasley (@JBeasleyWSMV) February 10, 2019

Oh, really? You want to talk unfair? How about instead of worrying about losing a faceoff to Ryan O'Reilly that you weren't ready for, stop tripping O'Reilly and getting away with it. (And getting goals out of it.)

Suddenly, the Predators have earned the right to have the bounce of a puck drop go their way? That's not how it works, guys.

So, buckle up ... and after one more regular season game on Feb. 26, we'll see you in April. Where will the first playoff game be held? In Nashv- wait, hold on a second.

Since Jordan Binnington (11-1-1) took over in the net, the Blues have skated their way into a playoff spot. They've won eight in row, their longest streak since early this century. Their captain Alex Pietrangelo is leading them on and off the ice. Tarasenko is scoring goals at a breakneck pace. Heck, even Jaden Schwartz netted one recently, his first in 23 games and 73 shots.

And the Blues are suddenly 10 points behind the Predators, but with four games in hand. You have to make those count ... but let's say the Blues (56 games played) do. Nashville (60 games played) will be feeling the heat.

A Blues-Preds series would be as tasty as a plate of pasta on the Hill. The NHL needs a good, solid rivalry in the Midwest since they moved the Red Wings to the Eastern Conference.

Cheers, Nashville. From Beer City.

One Stanley Cup, in our lifetime. You have plenty of time, Nashville. You don't understand the pain just yet. Some day, we'll tell you all about it ... over a cold one.

[takes sip, puts on Garth Butcher jersey>