Watch Blackhawks vs Blues game three when they hit the ice tonight at 8:30 Eastern Standard Time – that’s 7:30 for fans in Chicago and St. Louis. Look for this Central Division rivalry to heat up in tonight’s Blues vs Blackhawks game three as the Chicago Blackhawks fight for their playoff life.
The St. Louis Blues are up, two games to none. Both games have been tough, hard fought contests that went into overtime. Game one went into triple overtime and provided the kind of excitement you can;t find anywhere in the world of sports on the level NHL fans have come to expect from the Stanley Cup playoffs .
To make things tougher for the Blackhawks, they’ll have to do without impact defenseman Brent Seabrook, who will be sitting out three games because of a vicious hit on Blues center David Backes. The league laid down the law, suspending Seabrook for a flagrant elbow to the back of Backes’ head. The dirty hit didn’t help the ‘Hawks. The Blues scored the tying goal during the ensuing major penalty and then went on to win in overtime.
An AP report quotes Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville before learning that whether Seabrook would be suspended:
“You need his size, you need his presence and experience and his leadership. He’s got the big shot on the point and he’s on our power play as well. He kills penalties, so he plays all important minutes.”
On the other hand, Backes had to be helped off the ice. He didn’t return to the game and at this time, it’s unclear whether he will be able to play in tonight’s game three. As much as the Blackhawks will miss Seabrook, the Blues will miss their 57-point scoring captain more if he’s unable to play.
On the plus side for the Blackhawks, the next two games of the Blues vs Blackhawks series will be played in Chicago in front of the home crowd. Chicago has played well at home this year and was absolutely dominant there in the playoffs last year on the way to their 2013 Stanley Cup championship.
The Blackhawks have won five Stanley Cups in franchise history – tied with the Edmonton Oilers for fourth most among all NHL clubs. The Blues have been in the league since 1967, but have yet to rink champagne from Lord Stanley’s Cup. They are the oldest continuing franchise without an NHL championship.
If you find yourself somewhere that the Blues vs Blackhawks game isn’t televised or away from the TV, you don’t need to miss the game. You can watch Blackhawks vs Blues game three streaming live here .
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