Western Conference: Chicago Blackhawks (C3) vs St. Louis Blues (C2)

[L2TG]

Chicago in 6.

The Blues are decimated at the moment. As well as that the goalie that was supposed to take them to the next level has had a 900 SV% since joining the blues and looks even worse than Halak. If the Blues were healthy and not missing 6 of their 9 top forwards.. I'd say flip a coin. However, the Blues are limping into the playoffs, their goalie looks rattled, and they've lost their identity.

[andrewklassen]

Chicago in 6.

The Blues are decimated at the moment. As well as that the goalie that was supposed to take them to the next level has had a 900 SV% since joining the blues and looks even worse than Halak. If the Blues were healthy and not missing 6 of their 9 top forwards.. I'd say flip a coin. However, the Blues are limping into the playoffs, their goalie looks rattled, and they've lost their identity.

Ditto this! As a NUCKS fan I loath the HAWKS and am rooting my a$$ off for STL, but their injured lineup and lack of confidence right now looks toxic. If there's an even-upper in this series it's Crawford...as one never knows what version shows up to the rink.

CHI in 6.

[Shake]

I hope Toews is healthy as they have indicated he is. You know full well St. Louis is gonna be hitting him in that shoulder area. They will test him out for sure. Same with Kane's knee for that matter.

I worry about Reaves, Ott, and Backes attacking Toews shoulder / arm often.

[Luffy D Monkey]

With Chicago being beat up, even if they get through STL they're going to be in rough shape to go all the way again this year. I say Chicago in 5, Hitch gets fired, and Chicago bows out in the next round to a fresher team.

[Shake]

Yeah both teams will play heavy at times and certainly will wear each other down. I'm hoping Min and Col beat the hell out of each other as well!

With Chicago being beat up, even if they get through STL they're going to be in rough shape to go all the way again this year. I say Chicago in 5, Hitch gets fired, and Chicago bows out in the next round to a fresher team.

[doulos]

I'm rooting for the Blues, but the injuries and late season hammering does not bode well. Hawks in 5.

[Carter]

Hawks in 7.

[The Comish]

Chi in 6. St. Louis is in trouble with all their injuries and Miller has seemingly lost his confidence, a bad combination at this point in the schedule. The Hawks are deep and experienced.

[Shake]

Kane's playoff mullet has arrived!

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entert...3268567.column

[Daydream Nation]

I see a lot of the writers from this site are picking St. Louis with them being the consensus pick. As I recall most of them picked Boston in the Final last year.

[The Guvnah]

I see a lot of the writers from this site are picking St. Louis with them being the consensus pick. As I recall most of them picked Boston in the Final last year.

I don't think people like picking Chicago because they don't really play that "playoff brand" of hockey. Guys love picking big, physical, defensive-minded teams in the playoffs, which is something Chicago is not. Add to that that St. Louis have been playoff favourites all year, and there you go.

[metaldude26]

The Flyers-Rangers game is some good hard hockey but MY GOD this Blues-Blackhawks game is brilliant.

[Shake]

Everything awesome about playoff hockey is evident in this Game 1 first period.

The Flyers-Rangers game is some good hard hockey but MY GOD this Blues-Blackhawks game is brilliant.

[fungchen3]

Kane with a sick snipe.

[metaldude26]

Everything awesome about playoff hockey is evident in this Game 1 first period.

Rangers-Flyers third period vs. any second of Blues-Blackhawks. #StanleyCupPlayoffProblems.