The Chicago Blackhawks are a win away from completing a magnificent come-from-behind series win over the St. Louis Blues. To do that, however, the Blackhawks will have to overcome the Blues on the road later tonight. Which team will advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs? Read on for more about this game. You can also see our breakdown of Ducks vs. Preds Game 7.
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Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues Game 7 Preview
Where: Scottrade Center, St. Louis
When: Saturday, April 23, 2016, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues – view all NHL lines
TV Broadcast: NBCSN
Betting on the Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks won’t just go away. With an overpowering 6-3 win on Saturday, Chicago managed to force a Game 7, an impressive feat considering the Blackhawks trailed 3-1 in the series.
Credit the Blackhawks’ resurrection to their experience, poise, and uncanny ability to compile goals in second periods. The Blackhawks have scored three goals in each of the last two games. They are looking to carry that brilliant offensive form into tonight’s do-or-die matchup with St. Louis, which is also having troubles against Chicago’s power play.
After going 0-for-5 on the man advantage in Game 1, the Blackhawks have scored five power play goals on 10 chances, including a 2-for-3 line in Game 6.
Jonathan Toews has yet to score in the first round, but the team captain has chipped in three goals in the last two games. He’ll be a valuable asset in the first line together with Andrew Shaw and Patrick Kane, who’ll be both waiting to score off feeds from Toews. Toews and Kane assisted on Shaw’s power play goal in Game 6.
Corey Crawford, meanwhile, is expected to start in Game 7 despite taking a hard shot to his ribs in Game 6. He stopped 25 of 28 shots he faced on Saturday. Chicago is 5-5 in Crawford’s last 10 starts in St. Louis dating back to 2014.
Betting on the St. Louis Blues
Are the Blues in for another playoff collapse? They once had a 3-1 series lead over Chicago, lost Game 5 in double overtime, and squandered a 3-1 first period advantage in a Game 6 loss. So yeah, St. Louis is well set up for another disappointing first-round exit—unless, of course, they defeat Chicago at home later tonight.
The Blues, who are 6-4 in their last 10 games at Scottrade Center, are hoping to fill in the defensive holes Chicago exploited in the last two games. The Blues were outshot in Game 6, 36-28, which was evidence that St. Louis could be relying too much on goalie Brian Elliott. Elliott has been a workhorse throughout the series, but has allowed nine goals on 70 shots in the past two games.
Nevertheless, it would be stupid for head coach Ken Hitchcock not to go for Elliott in Game 7. The Blues are 6-4 in the netminder’s last 10 home starts.
Scoring hasn’t been an issue for the Blues, who have potted in 10 goals in the last three games. Vladimir Tarasenko had three goals during that stretch, including a first-period netter in Game 6. Tarasenko now counts 14 goals in 19 career playoff games.
Writer’s Prediction
Chicago wins, 3-2.
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