"Beginning today, the Blues will have nine days off for the NHL All-Star break, time to ponder what has been accomplished in 49 games, time to prep for 33 more. In the big picture, they have come far, shaking off an indifferent start and responding to a coaching change to compile a 29-13-7 record.

The immediate picture appears less inspiring. Coming off a 3-1 loss at Detroit 24 hours earlier, the Blues lost 3-2 in an overtime-shootout to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday at Scottrade Center.

But the outcome calls for perspective. Not only were the Blues playing for the second night in succession, they were playing for the fourth time in six nights. And you think Demi Moore is exhausted.

What's more, they were playing a Penguins team that has now won seven in a row, a team that features two of the league's premier forwards in Evgeni Malkin and James Neal, a well-rested team that had a 2-0 lead with less then half the clock remaining. A shootout-loss wasn't the outcome the Blues were hoping for, but it was nothing of which to be ashamed."