Let's Go Blues

BLUES at BLACKHAWKS

(St. Louis leads best-of-7 series, 2-0)

TV: CNBC, CBC, RDSI, FS-MW, CSN-CH

Big story: An already-intense rivalry got ratcheted up toward the end of Game 2 in this Western Conference First Round series when Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook injured St. Louis Blues captain David Backes with an illegal hit.

"It's not retaliation," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said Sunday of St. Louis' come-from-behind 4-3 overtime win. "We want to win, they want to win. [The] game's full of emotion. It's about playing your best. Whatever you have to do, you have to do. It's a nasty, physical, intense series. That's what playoff hockey's about. I'm sure they've got video of our guys taking runs at their guys. We've got video of their guys taking runs at us. It's the price you pay to win at this time of the year, especially when you have two really good teams going at it. This is what happens."

Not only are the defending Stanley Cup champions facing a two-game deficit in the series, but the Blackhawks will be without Seabrook, who was suspended Sunday for three games for the charging major against Backes. They're no strangers to coming back from tough odds in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but winning Game 3 will be critical for the Blackhawks' title-defense hopes.

Team Scope:

Blues: The availability of Backes probably won't be determined until later in the day Monday, Hitchcock told reporters following a skate Sunday in St. Louis. If Backes is unable to play, his absence will affect St. Louis in all facets of the game.

"All I know is he's upright, that's about it right now," Hitchcock said. "I know one thing: He couldn't play [Sunday]."

Hitchcock labeled forward Vladimir Sobotka as "average" after an open-ice, knee-to-knee collision that sent Chicago forward Bryan Bickell to the penalty box a couple minutes before Seabrook hit Backes.

Blackhawks: Just as Chicago anticipated, the physicality is at a high level and might get cranked up even more Monday at United Center. That style most likely favors the Blues, who are known for doling out punishing body checks and swarming the puck on defense.

The Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup twice in four seasons by playing more of a puck-possession game. Their game usually centers on dominating time in the offensive zone, playing keep-away with the puck and crashing the net hard for rebounds or loose pucks.

That style has been missing too often in the first two games.

"I think we've done a decent job with getting chances, but we're playing a little too much on the perimeter," forward Brandon Saad said Sunday. "If we get pucks to the point and get guys to the net, then pucks seem to find their way in. So, from an offensive [point of view], being a forward, we've got to do that more often."

Not having Seabrook will hurt. He's Chicago's biggest defender, has a hard shot and is one of the best transition passers from the defensive zone. Without him, look for Sheldon Brookbank to enter the lineup.

Who's hot: Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko has a goal in each game of the series, including the power-play goal with 6.4 seconds left in regulation in Game 2 that forced overtime, after missing the final 15 games of the regular season. ... Saad had an assist in Game 1 and two assists in Game 2 for the Blackhawks.

Injury report: St. Louis center Patrik Berglund (upper body) is still out. Right wing T.J. Oshie (upper body) returned for Game 2. … Chicago reports no injuries.

cardsfan04 wrote:Best case scenario for tonight is we are up 4-0 and get to get vengeance without risking the outcome of the game.

dmiles2186 wrote:

cardsfan04 wrote:Best case scenario for tonight is we are up 4-0 and get to get vengeance without risking the outcome of the game.

I want them to go the opposite way. Just keep your head on straight, no retaliation, just win the game and put them against the ropes. You retaliate, you give them fire for Game 4, whether you win or lose tonight. It's a team that came back from a 3-1 deficit last year against Detroit to move on. I don't want them to have any extra motivation. The best retaliation is to send them packing as soon as possible.

And then next year, first game, start a line brawl.

flyingnote38 wrote:Best revenge would be Backes starting his day with the cup about 3 am on Duncan Keith's front lawn with a bullhorn "Wakey, wakey douchebag"

As for worrying about revenge on ice...........WIN.

So far nothing has happened this series except the Blues holding serve, Backes getting hurt, and Seabrook getting suspended. Win tonight and they're on the ropes. Finish them off. Make Seabrook's next game be next year.

dmiles2186 wrote:In honor of our Captain...

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goon attack wrote:and btw, it pissed me off more than anyone to hear Keith saying that crap, but will you fookin' pansies shut up with this internet outrage over it? Shit worse than that gets said all the damn time. If you want to watch choirboys, then put on some pink tutus and go watch ice dancing, you pansies.

Wakey Wakey Backes was indeed classeless... but it just made NHL lore. I suggest all Blues fans wear the shirt as a rallying point.

cardsfan04 wrote:

goon attack wrote:and btw, it pissed me off more than anyone to hear Keith saying that crap, but will you fookin' pansies shut up with this internet outrage over it? Shit worse than that gets said all the damn time. If you want to watch choirboys, then put on some pink tutus and go watch ice dancing, you pansies.

Wakey Wakey Backes was indeed classeless... but it just made NHL lore. I suggest all Blues fans wear the shirt as a rallying point.

I get what you're saying, but I think it's just natural reaction. Captain gets hurt on dirty hit . . . in the playoffs . . . by a hated rival . . . and they laugh about it. I don't care what fanbase it is, the guy yelling Wakey Wakey is gonna get called out on message boards. There might be worse things said during the game by both teams (although this really was low), but him getting called out on message boards is just how it works IMO.