April 06--First-period update: Kris Versteeg (14 goals) scored a goal for the first time since Feb. 24, when Patrick Kane broke his collarbone, to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead. The goal came on a feed from Marian Hossa after T.J. Oshie's turnover on a clearing attempt. Corey Crawford had 16 saves in the period. The Blackhawks had 12 shots on goal.
A playoff payoff of divisional standing is at stake tonight at the United Center, where the Chicago Blackhawks face the St. Louis Blues in the first of two meetings between teams over the final four regular-season games.
The second-place Blues (48-23-7) have 103 points, one more than the Blackhawks (48-24-6), in the Central Division. Each team has 39 regulation or overtime wins (ROW). The first-place Predators have 104 points.
Jonathan Toews scored twice in 46 seconds in the third period of the Blackhawks' come-from-behind victory Sunday in Buffalo. Toews has five goals in his last five games, including three game-winners.
The Blues will be without their top two scorers, forwards Alexander Steen (24 goals, 38 assists) and Vladimir Tarasenko (36 goals, 35 assists), who both have lower-body injuries.
The Blackhawks have won two of three meetings with the Blues this season.
The Blackhawks will be without Patrick Kane for the 18th game since he broke his collarbone Feb. 24 against the Panthers.
In the nets: Corey Crawford (32-17-5, 2.28 GAA) will start for the Blackhawks, who have won four in a row. Crawford is 12-2-3 in his career against the Blues. Jake Allen (20-6-4, 2.40 GAA) will start for the Blues.
Kane update: When Patrick Kane is able to return from a broken left clavicle remains to be seen, but it could be sooner than expected. Kane has been practicing with the team. Coach Joel Quenneville didn't rule out a return for the first round of the playoffs. "Tough to say," Quenneville said Sunday. "Medical clearance is the hurdle. ... That's where it's at." Kane cannot return before the postseason because of salary cap rules.
The Quote I
"I think our team amps it up. The experience we have in our locker room, (we) know what the level of play needs to be from regular season to playoffs, and you can tell around the league that it's starting to get in that mode." -- Blackhawks' Bryan Bickell on the team rising to the occasion in big games.
The Quote II
"I don't. Some guys might. You try to get away from the rink, you try to clear your head. You don't worry about it too much and just try to get focused for your own game." --Andrew Shaw on whether he watches hockey at home
Roster report: Quenneville said newly acquired Kyle Baun and Michael Paliotta will not make their debuts Sunday. Also scratches are Daniel Carcillo, Joakim Nordstrom and David Rundblad.
Up next: Wild at Blackhawks, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, CSN, NBCSN
