Fresh off the first overtime game of the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs, the St. Louis Blues will host the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 2 of their first round series on Friday. Puck drop is at 8 p.m. ET in St. Louis.
Blackhawks vs. Blues, NHL playoffs 2016: Time, TV schedule and how to watch live online
St. Louis tries for a 2-0 series lead on Friday.
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Scouting the Blackhawks
As if this series needed more defensive clout, the Blackhawks get defenseman Duncan Keith back from suspension for Game 2. Keith is coming off a six-game suspension for swinging his stick at an opponent two weeks ago. Keith will lighten the load for the rest of the defense (especially Brent Seabrook, who played over 30 minutes in Game 1). Corey Crawford and Andrew Ladd are also expected to start despite some initial uncertainty (Ladd's wife is expecting their third child any day now).
Scouting the Blues
St. Louis' main focus in Game 2 will be boosting its offense, which only managed 18 shots on goal in a game that went to overtime. That task will be tougher with Keith in play, but the Blues have the luxury of a 1-0 series lead to fall back on. Ramping up the offense along with their patented physicality (the Blues registered 41 hits in Game 1) should be a recipe for success. Brian Elliott will get the start in net again after recording his first career playoff shutout in Game 1.
Chicago Blackhawks at St. Louis Blues
8 p.m. ET | Game 2, Western Conference Round 1
Scottrade Center | St. Louis, Missouri
Local: FS-MW, CSN-CH | Nat'l: NBCSN, SN, TVAS2
Live stream at NBC Live Extra and Rogers GameCentre
More coverage: Blackhawks blog | Blues blog
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