Blues know Hawks will be ready

ST. LOUIS - You can't blame the Blues if they're taking absolutely nothing for granted despite being up 2-0 in their series with the Blackhawks. That's because last year they were in the same situation against Los Angeles and wound up losing the series.

"We were up 2-0 last year against L.A.; they were a great team, and Chicago's no different with their home crowd behind them," Chris Porter said.

"It's a different year. We're a team that's confident, but we know there's nothing taken for granted," said Barret Jackman, who scored the game-winner in overtime Saturday. "We'll go into a very hostile environment in Chicago, and they're a team that's got a lot of experience and will show no quit.

"We expect more of the same type of game as (Saturday); hard-hitting, physical and right to the end."

Phew:

It wasn't just the hit that David Backes took from Brent Seabrook that was on Blues coach Ken Hitchcock's mind after the game. There also was the knee-to-knee hit Bryan Bickell placed on Vladimir Sobotka, a hit that sent Bickell to the penalty box.

Sobotka was able to skate away, something Hitchcock called "a break of a lifetime."

By the numbers:

Niklas Hjalmarsson recorded a game-high 6 blocked shots and leads the team with 12 through two games. … Bryan Bickell paced the Hawks with 7 hits and has 13 through two games. … Brandon Bollig saw just 1:23 of ice time after the first period.

He said it:

"At least it didn't last three (overtimes). It was past my bedtime last time."

- Barret Jackman on Saturday's game ending about six minutes into OT.