Hitchcock said it's high time the St. Louis Blues' 'homegrown' players step up

The St. Louis Blues players watch in the last seconds of Game 6 of a first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings in Los Angeles, Friday, May 10, 2013. The Kings won 2-1. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (The Associated Press)

Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick, left, is congratulated by St. Louis Blues goalie Brian Elliott after Game 6 of a first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Los Angeles, Friday, May 10, 2013. The Kings won 2-1. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (The Associated Press)

ST. LOUIS – Mouth agape, Ken Hitchcock struggled to process the buzzer-beater that crushed the St. Louis Blues' season. Goalie Brian Elliott sank to his knees in disbelief.

For the second straight playoffs, the Blues finished with four straight losses to the Los Angeles Kings. They didn't get swept this time, it just felt that way.

Especially to Hitchcock, who called out the cluster of high draft picks that have had several chances without making a splash in the postseason for a franchise still awaiting its first Stanley Cup. The roll call of first-rounders found wanting on the latest fade-out would be a long one.