Chicago Blackhawks can't steal one from the Blues
ST. LOUIS – Highway robbery.
That's exactly what the Blackhawks were attempting to commit as they played Game 1 of their opening-round playoff series without the suspended Duncan Keith at the Scottrade Center on Wednesday.
The absence of last season's Conn Smythe Trophy winner obviously put coach Joel Quenneville's squad at a distinct disadvantage against the talented, hard-hitting and – for the first time all season – completely healthy Blues.
Lose it – as they did 1-0 in overtime – and no big deal. Expected almost.
But win it and the series might have been over against a team that hasn't been able to get out of the first round for three straight seasons.
David Backes won it for St. Louis when he scored 9:04 into overtime when his shot bounced off Trevor van Riemsdyk's skate and past Corey Crawford.
“That's a good feeling,” Backes told FOX afterwards. “We needed that one. Deserved it. … We'll take the lucky bounce.”
St. Louis has a 1-0 lead in the series, with Game 2 coming Friday at Scottrade Center. Brian Elliott made 35 savs for the Blues, who killed off all 5 Hawks power plays.
“Just bad luck,” van Riemsdyk said. “It was so close and in tight. He passed it so hard, I didn't really have time to react. I was just hoping I was in the right position where it hit me and (it would) go the other way. That's how it goes sometimes and we just have to come back next game ready to go.”
This was the first time the Hawks played a 1-0 overtime game in the postseason since April 20, 1994 against Toronto.
“We've got to work even harder and find a way to score some goals,” said Niklas Hjalmarsson. Crawford was sharp in net, stopping 17 shots. The Hawks' defense also did a fantastic job of stepping in the shooting lanes as the team was credited with 22 blocks.
St. Louis controlled the action Wednesday for the first 13 minutes, but then took 3 penalties. The third gave the Hawks a two-man advantage for 36 seconds. Their best chances to convert came when Hossa nearly managed to get a loose puck past Brian Elliott, and when Artemi Panarin tried to hit Patrick Kane for a one-timer. The puck glanced off Kane's stick, though, the Blues cleared it and coach Ken Hitchcock's team escaped those five-plus minutes unscathed.
“I think both teams' penalty killing was the story of the game,” Hitchcock said. “Neither team had quality chances. We couldn't penetrate. They put more pressure on us today than they have all year. We did a great job on all our PK. … Our best players were out there, their best players were out there and neither one of us got good looks.”
The Hawks had two great chances to score in the second period. The first came when Elliott misplayed a puck and Panarin had a chance at a wide-open net, but the rookie couldn't settle the puck on his stick in time. Then, with 13:02 remaining, Jonathan Toews tried to beat Elliott through the five-hole on a breakaway, but Elliott made the save.
The Hawks played well without Keith in the final five games of the regular season, going 3-0-2 and scoring 22 goals in the process. Still, they failed to defeat a playoff team over the last month and went just 6-5-4 in their last 15 games.
After the game, Hjalmarsson said he isn't worried about one loss.
“We all know we have to win four games,” he said. “It's a good team we're playing against. It's one loss. It doesn't matter how you lose it. …
“We get right back at it. This is what we all play for. We want to play in the playoffs. It's a lot of fun; obviously not losing. But I'm looking forward to the next game already.”