Two Central Division rivals go head-to-head when the Blues play host to the Blackhawks in a meeting that is part of Round 1 of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs.
Chicago, the defending Stanley Cup champion, will look to once again have a deep springtime run. St. Louis is hoping to exorcise postseason demons after blowing 2-0 first-round series leads the last two years and losing both slates in six.
The Blackhawks won 47 games this season and earned 103 points to land in third place in the Central Division, making the playoffs for the ninth straight campaign. The Blues, meanwhile, notched 49 wins and 107 points to get into the postseason for the fifth straight campaign.
Chicago was one of the teams that clawed out of a 2-0 series lead to send St. Louis packing, which occurred in 2013-14. The Blues have a healthy roster, including the return of David Backes for Game 1, but those series' still weigh on their minds.
"The last series we played against Chicago, we weren't great in Games 1 and 2 but we won," coach Ken Hitchcock told NHL.com. "We played so well in [Games] 3, 4 and 5 and the first two periods of [Game 6] and still lost. That's the best we've played in any of these playoff series ... and still lost."
The Blackhawks may be without Andrew Ladd due to the impending birth of his third child, so Richard Panik may be thrust to the top line.
"He's played up there with [Jonathan Toews] recently and he looks pretty good up there," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said per NHL.com. "We'll see what happens."
Hart Trophy candidate Patrick Kane has been a force for the Blackhawks, leading the team in goals (46), assists (60) and points (106), while his linemate, rookie Artemi Panarin has had a Calder-worthy season. The Blues counter with a unit flanked by Vladimir Tarasenko, who led the club with 40 goals and 74 points.
The goaltending matchup will see Corey Crawford man the blue paint for Chicago and Brian Elliott to play between the pipes for St. Louis.
Game Preview & Live Stream
Details: Blackhawks at Blues Game 1
Venue: Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Mo.
Time: 9:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. CT).
Radio: Chicago (WGN 720); St. Louis (KMOX 1120).
Prediction: Our predictions for this series can be found here.
Betting Odds: The latest betting odds can be found here.
Watch Online: This game can be live streamed for free here.
