ST. LOUIS _ As the Blackhawks finished March and entered April without the customary buildup to the postseason, they've had to get their big-game fix from opponents. For a franchise used to contending for the Stanley Cup, the spoiler role is a total letdown. The juice is much less intoxicating.
At least games like Wednesday's against the Blues offer the Blackhawks' young prospects more experience against a team already in playoff mode fighting for its life. "Big boy hockey," Blues coach Mike Yeo called it before the game.
The Blackhawks, with some heroics from a player accustomed to big moments, were up to the challenge.
Duncan Keith's power-play goal with 8.5 seconds remaining completed their comeback from a two-goal deficit and gave them a 4-3 win that dealt a body blow to the Blues' playoff changes.
Goals from rookies Blake Hillman and Alex DeBrincat caused the Blues to miss out on two points that would have vaulted them over the Avalanche into the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference with two games remaining. The next one is a rematch against the Blackhawks in Chicago on Friday.
Whatever urgency the Blues summoned was hardly reflected by the Scottrade Center crowd. Buzz common around games with these stakes never materialized, giving the night a routine December feel.
Still, the Blues dictated terms from the outset, nearly scoring in the first minute. The Blackhawks needed Keith to block Jaden Schwartz's wrap-around stuff attempt into an otherwise open goal. The save was upheld by video review.
