If there's one thing Blues and Blackhawks fans have in common, it's a common digust for all things Detroit Red Wings. Nothing is quite as satisfying as a Red Wings loss, especially so when it's at the hands of your hometown team. In their respective quests for the NHL playoffs and toward Lord Stanley's Cup, the Red Wings stand in the way of the Blues and 'Hawks and optimal seeding in the post season tournament. What else is new?
This year, it might be more critical than ever.
The Detroit franchise has been one of the most dominant in the vast history of the National Hockey League, but this year's version isn't one that will bring to mind images of the past; of Dominik Hasek stonewalling opponents, of Steve Yzerman putting the puck at the back of the net, or of Gordie Howe asserting his superior skills against the competition. This year's team has struggled to win on a consistent basis enough to dominate yet again. Still, they have again been a handful for both the Blues and the Blackhawks in 2011-12, with still even more at stake.
The Blackhawks currently stand at one point behind the Red Wings and two points away from a potential 1st round home-ice advantage. And, whaddya know, the Red Wings just happen to host the Blackhawks during the final game of the season on April 7.
Tonight, with three games remaining and three points seperating them from the top seed in the Western Conference, the Blues take on the hated Red Wings. The difference between being the #1 seed in the playoffs with home-ice advatage during the run of the Conference Playoffs instead of #2 seed and giving home-ice advantage to the Vancouver Canucks is vast. And noting that this is maybe the best the Blues have ever played during an entire season, the stakes are high.
So, what do you say Blackhawks fans? Let's see about the Blues and Blackhawks taking a couple games away from the Red Wings and send them to the bottom of the standings for a smoother, much more satisfying trip to and through quest for the Cup!
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