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

Ready for tonight's @NHLBlackhawks game? The only acceptable answer:hell yes! live.redeyechicago.com/Event/Hawks_pl… #blackhawks #CHIvsSTL #becauseitsthecup

by Leonor Vivanco via twitter 4/17/2014 11:16:51 PM
#Blackhawks fans, for Blues news & perspective from tonight's game, follow @jprutherford , @NormSanders and @lkorac10 . Also, @SUNRandySportak

by Chris Kuc via twitter 4/17/2014 11:18:07 PM
#Blackhawks and Blues warming up prior to Game 1 at Scottrade Center. vine.co/v/M1OH2wTLnMW

by Chris Kuc via twitter 4/17/2014 11:33:02 PM
#Blackhawks fans, for bonus coverage throughout the postseason, follow @ChristopherHine .

by Chris Kuc via twitter 4/17/2014 11:47:39 PM
Watch out you don't get ice down your back at deadlineRT @MarkLazerus : @tdjm84 @ChristopherHine I like Chris fine, but I did no such thing.

by Chris Hine via twitter 4/17/2014 11:51:56 PM
The #Beardoff is back! @benasmith12 vs Oduya vs Versteeg vs @alexquigley vs @swasko vs @ElliottSerrano . #Blackhawks http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BldQhM8CYAA_WwM.jpg

by Christopher Sosa via twitter retweeted by JessicaGalliart 4/17/2014 11:53:38 PM
Me: You're not big on pep talks.
Q: I am not.
Me: May I give one then?
Q: You may not.
Me: Just testing you.
Q: I know.
Me: Let's do this.

by Coach Q's mustache via twitter retweeted by ChrisKuc 4/17/2014 11:54:49 PM
OK, does anyone find it odd the organist in St. Louis is playing 25 or 6 to 4 by Chicago?

by Randy Sportak via twitter retweeted by ChrisKuc 4/17/2014 11:55:45 PM
Hawks Hawks Hawks Hawks Hawks Hawks Hawks Hawks Hawks Hawks Hawks Hawks Hawks Hawks Hawks Hawks Hawks. Game 1. This might hurt a little.

by Christopher Sosa via twitter 4/17/2014 11:56:16 PM
Carruth, Morin, Regin, Rundbald, Brookbank, Nordstrom are your #Blackhawks scratches.

by Chris Hine via twitter 4/17/2014 11:56:31 PM
Scratches for #Blackhawks vs. Blues in Game 1: Rundblad, Morin, Regin, Brookbank, Nordstrom, Carruth.

by Chris Kuc via twitter 4/17/2014 11:56:35 PM
Correction, Rundblad. #fatfingers .

by Chris Hine via twitter 4/17/2014 11:57:18 PM
Audible gasp from some in Scottrade Center when Blues' T.J. Oshie announced as scratch vs. #Blackhawks . Loud cheer for Vladimir Tarasenko.

by Chris Kuc via twitter 4/17/2014 11:57:36 PM
We've got some #Blackhawks fans making noise prior to Game 1 vs. Blues. Should be intersting watching from the saftey of the press box.

by Chris Kuc via twitter 4/17/2014 11:58:25 PM
I want to hate you, but I can't because you're an "Archer" fan RT @MarkLazerus : @tdjm84 @ChristopherHine Hey, I never said to follow the guy

by Chris Hine via twitter 4/18/2014 12:00:27 AM
Also on hand for #Blackhawks -Blues and who are good follows are @drosennhl and @cotsonika .

by Chris Kuc via twitter 4/18/2014 12:01:28 AM
Radio simulcast for the #Blackhawks tonight! Try 720 AM @WGNRadio or 87.7 FM @GameChicago .

by Alex Quigley via twitter 4/18/2014 12:01:42 AM
Now without typos! #Blackhawks fans making noise prior to Game 1 vs. Blues. Should be interesting watching from the safety of the press box.

by Chris Kuc via twitter 4/18/2014 12:03:32 AM
Muahahaaa #17seconds RT @RedSoxRedShoes @alexquigley *checks stubble* We become acquaintances until the Finals are over. Best to you, Quigs.

by Alex Quigley via twitter 4/18/2014 12:05:24 AM
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