Hawks-Blues, Game 1: Let the grudge match begin

82 down, 16 to go. It might make Hawks fans nervous, but there's no better way to dive into the NHL playoffs than headfirst against rival St. Louis. Follow along with RedEye as we take in Game 1.

Group hug! (USA Today Sports photo)

3rd & 7 37yd

I'll admit I jumped at the first cannon shot that was fired.

by Chris Hine via twitter 4/18/2014 12:06:25 AM
Already sick of the cannon or whatever the hell they're exploding at Scottrade Center prior to Game 1. #Blackhawks

by Chris Kuc via twitter 4/18/2014 12:06:29 AM
Hawks get a good early look, Saad almost with a deflection in.

by Chris Hine via twitter 4/18/2014 12:12:15 AM
"Dead & Bloated"?

by Alex Quigley via twitter 4/18/2014 12:14:24 AM
Crowd very loud and energetic at Scottrade Center for Game 1 between #Blackhawks and Blues.

by Chris Kuc via twitter 4/18/2014 12:15:40 AM
Adam Cracknell scores to give Blues 1-0 lead over #Blackhawks .

by Chris Kuc via twitter 4/18/2014 12:17:31 AM
And the Blues strike first, Adam Cracknell somehow pushes a rebound into the net, it's 1-0 Blues.

by Chris Hine via twitter 4/18/2014 12:17:41 AM
Ahhh, and St. Louis scores. #blackhawks

by Leonor Vivanco via twitter 4/18/2014 12:17:59 AM
Was that Bickell with the death stare?

by Leonor Vivanco via twitter 4/18/2014 12:19:12 AM
#Blackhawks tie it up. 1-1. Oduya shot gets in the net.

by Chris Hine via twitter 4/18/2014 12:33:21 AM
Johnny Oduya scores to pull #Blackhawks into 1-1 tie with Blues. #luckoftheirish

by Chris Kuc via twitter 4/18/2014 12:33:34 AM
That's #Beardoff challenger Johnny Oduya with the tying goal! #Blackhawks bit.ly/1nt0jOi

by Christopher Sosa via twitter 4/18/2014 12:33:38 AM
8:46 to play in the first period. Versteeg was in front, may have tipped it, we'll see who they award the goal to.

by Chris Hine via twitter 4/18/2014 12:33:47 AM
The do give it to Versteeg.

by Chris Hine via twitter 4/18/2014 12:33:53 AM
And Oduya does. #Hawks even it out.

by Leonor Vivanco via twitter 4/18/2014 12:33:58 AM
They do give the goal to Vertseeg.

by Chris Hine via twitter 4/18/2014 12:34:10 AM
#Blackhawks ' goal vs. Blues credited to Kris Versteeg.

by Chris Kuc via twitter 4/18/2014 12:34:14 AM
Ryan Miller: no longer elite

by Alex Quigley via twitter 4/18/2014 12:34:20 AM
And the fighting begins. It was inevitable, right? #blackhawks

by Leonor Vivanco via twitter 4/18/2014 12:34:42 AM
Nice scrum in front of Crawford. It's playoff time!

by Chris Hine via twitter 4/18/2014 12:34:42 AM
THAT'S why Maxim Lapierre made my Top 5 Hateable Blues list

by Alex Quigley via twitter 4/18/2014 12:37:15 AM
First penalty of the night against the Blues. Barret Jackman for interference.

by Chris Hine via twitter 4/18/2014 12:38:05 AM
Literally no one likes Barret Jackman.

by Alex Quigley via twitter 4/18/2014 12:38:07 AM
Toews, Kane, Sharp on the first power play line.

by Chris Hine via twitter 4/18/2014 12:38:42 AM
Oduya scores first for Hawks to tie it up (via @PeteBlackburn)

by jgalliart 4/18/2014 12:39:37 AM
Brent Seabrook scores on the power play to give #Blackhawks a 2-1 lead over Blues.

by Chris Kuc via twitter 4/18/2014 12:39:56 AM
And the Blackhawks score. A patient Versteeg feeds Seabrook for a one-timer. It's 2-1.

by Chris Hine via twitter 4/18/2014 12:40:05 AM
Ryan Miller: UNELITE

by Alex Quigley via twitter 4/18/2014 12:40:13 AM
SEEEEEEAAAAAABROOOOOK. Not a #Beardoff competitor, but we forgive him. #Blackhawks

by Christopher Sosa via twitter 4/18/2014 12:40:24 AM
Seabs! Chelsea Dagger playing at probably all Chicago bars. #blackhawks

by Leonor Vivanco via twitter 4/18/2014 12:40:39 AM
And check that, it was #Beardoff competitor Kris Versteeg on the first goal. #Blackhawks

by Christopher Sosa via twitter 4/18/2014 12:41:00 AM
Leddy gets the other assist on that one.

by Chris Hine via twitter 4/18/2014 12:41:16 AM
The Blues answer right back.

by Chris Hine via twitter 4/18/2014 12:41:49 AM
Vladimir Tarasenko scores to pull Blues into 2-2 tie with #Blackhawks .

by Chris Kuc via twitter 4/18/2014 12:42:06 AM
Tarasenko ties it up 2-2.

by Chris Hine via twitter 4/18/2014 12:42:09 AM
Sigh. Terrible giveaway by Kruger there. #Blackhawks

by Christopher Sosa via twitter 4/18/2014 12:42:16 AM
Sharp now headed to the penalty box. #blackhawks

by Chris Hine via twitter 4/18/2014 12:44:54 AM
Five goals combined and we're 20 mins into this series. Who saw that coming from #Blackhawks vs #Blues ? Nobody, that's who. Hockey rules.

by Brian Hedger via twitter 4/18/2014 12:50:25 AM
End of the first, excuse me while I catch my breath. It's 3-2 #Blackhawks .

by Chris Hine via twitter 4/18/2014 12:50:40 AM
Brian Elliott in goal for second period?

by Alex Quigley via twitter 4/18/2014 12:51:15 AM
Ditto. W/cats. RT @JohnRSports : I'm glad that having a dog extends my life to make up for the time taken off by games like this. #Blackhawks

by HockeyBroad via twitter retweeted by BrianHedger 4/18/2014 12:51:21 AM
After one period in St. Louis, #Blackhawks lead Blues 3-2; Blues' Vladimir Tarasenko appeared to hurt his arm in the waning seconds.

by Chris Kuc via twitter 4/18/2014 12:51:21 AM
Gotta say I'm digging the #mulletpower #blackhawks

by Leonor Vivanco via twitter 4/18/2014 12:51:42 AM
Ryan Miller: Three goals on seven shots. #Blackhawks

by Mark Lazerus via twitter retweeted by BrianHedger 4/18/2014 12:52:19 AM
End of 1st period: Blackhawks, 3-2. Here's goal No. 2 from Seabrook's after drawing a penalty on Jackman. (via @PeteBlackburn)

by jgalliart 4/18/2014 12:53:14 AM