Five Reasons the St. Louis Blues Could Beat the Chicago Blackhawks

Apr 7, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) is congratulated for scoring during the third period against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. St. Louis won 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 7, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing /

As the St. Louis Blues begin their 2015-16 Stanley Cup playoff run against the Chicago Blackhawks tonight, it is important to remember the tall tasks that lie ahead on both sides.

Although St. Louis has experienced first-round elimination in their last three playoff appearances, the Blues won have three of their five regular season games against Chicago.

However, the Blackhawks won the only playoff series featuring the Central division rivals in between a stretch through which they have won three of the last six Stanley Cup championships.

The Blues-Blackhawks rivalry has evolved so much in recent years that both teams come into the series with a nearly equal chance of advancing.

But for the sake of St. Louis’s fifth straight playoff run under head coach Ken Hitchcock, there are five factors that could determine the team’s destiny beyond the first round of playoffs.

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