Blues/Avalanche vs Blackhawks

CHICAGO -- With one illegal hit late in the third period Saturday, Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook may have changed the fate of two teams who believe they can win the Stanley Cup this season.

He certainly changed the fate of two players who are important to their respective Cup-contending teams.

The NHL's Department of Player Safety on Sunday suspended Seabrook three games for his illegal hit on St. Louis Blues captain David Backes at 15:09 of the third period of Game 2 of the Western Conference First Round series. The suspension came down approximately 22 hours after Seabrook's hit sent Backes to the dressing room early and gave the Blues the opportunity to tie the game.

ST. LOUIS -- The Chicago Blackhawks have the type of composure and swagger befitting a team that has won the Stanley Cup twice since 2010. Now they need to show their thick skin and resiliency as well.

The Blackhawks were hoping to win at least one of the first two games at Scottrade Center in their best-of-7 Western Conference First Round series against the St. Louis Blues. Instead, they fly home down 0-2 following back-to-back 4-3 overtime losses.

Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko scored a power-play goal with 6.4 seconds left in regulation Saturday to tie the game and defenseman Barret Jackman won it for St. Louis with a seeing-eye slap shot through Chicago goalie Corey Crawford's legs 5:50 into overtime.

Not only is this Chicago's second straight overtime loss to start the series, the Blackhawks are in the 0-2 hole because they couldn't hold one-goal leads late in the third period of both games.

ST. LOUIS -- They saw their captain down, victimized by a hard, high and illegal hit into the end boards. This was not good, not ever.

The St. Louis Blues' players don't want to trade the skill, size, strength and heart of David Backes for anyone, but they had no choice with 4:51 remaining in regulation of Game 2 on Saturday. Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook delivered the hit that forced both players to leave the game, one by way of injury and the other by way of a major penalty and a game misconduct.

The Blues, now pulsating with emotion, raw and potentially overwhelming, then saw 5:00 go onto the scoreboard clock above center ice, signaling a long power play and a chance at redemption.

Would the Blues forget about trying to score the game-tying goal and go chasing after revenge? Or would they calm down, use the time smartly, work the puck around and make the Blackhawks pay for Seabrook's untimely charge?

The Blues chose door No. 2. They chose wisely.

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Blues coach Ken Hitchcock did not have a full update on the status of captain David Backes following the 4-3 overtime victory against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday at Scottrade Center.

"How do you think he is?" Hitchcock said of Backes. "Not great. We'll let the League deal with it."

Backes was hit high by Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook with 4:51 remaining in regulation. Seabrook appeared to make contact with Backes' head.