Blues have much to play for in game vs. Blackhawks

ST. LOUIS - Hot off the presses of the Chicago Sun-Times were these quotes from the Chicago Blackhawks' locker room.
"It'd be nice to see (the Blues) miss the playoffs. So it would be nice to have a hand in that."- Patrick Kane
"That's a team we have history with. There's not much on the line for us, but definitely one of the things in our mind is trying to cause an upset."- Jonathan Toews
"You're just out there trying to win a game. But, of course, it's always fun to drag someone else down, too."- Erik Gustafsson
Aside from playing spoiler, the Blackhawks don't have much to play for in this season's final few games. They won't be returning to the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season.
But the Blues still could.

St. Louis has three games remaining to clinch a playoff spot for the seventh consecutive season, and two of those games - including Wednesday's 7 p.m. contest at Scottrade Center (NBCSN, NBC Sports App, Y98 FM) - will be against the Blackhawks. The only remaining game - against the Colorado Avalanche - may very well determine who goes to the playoffs and who doesn't.
Buckle up.

THE MATCHUP

BLUES Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrik Berglund scored Monday, but the Blues dropped an important game to the Washington Capitals, losing 4-2 at Scottrade Center. The Blues had collected points in seven straight games (6-0-1) before going winless in their last three games (0-2-1).
"We understand where we're at and we know what we have to do to win," Blues defenseman Colton Parayko said. "We've done it last week, the last couple of weeks, and it's going to be a good couple tests against Chicago and then Colorado to finish it out. We know basically we're in a win-out situation, so it's going to be a good challenge for us and we're looking forward to it. I know it's tough to turn the page quickly, but that's what we have to do and make sure that we're ready."
The Blues got some help from the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night. The Kings beat the Avalanche in regulation, preventing them from pushing the Blues further from a playoff spot. The Blues can climb back into a Wild Card spot with a win against the Blackhawks on Wednesday.

BLACKHAWKS Chicago hasn't been doing the Blues any favors lately.
In their last game on Friday, Chicago was shutout 5-0 by the Avalanche, who the Blues happen to be battling for a Wild Card spot.
Chicago will be without Jonathan Toews on Wednesday. Toews is battling an upper-body injury, and Head Coach Joel Quenneville said he will miss his sixth straight game.
Goalie J-F Berube is expected to start against the Blues.
HEAD-TO-HEAD The Blues have won both matchups with the Blackhawks this season, most recently winning 5-4 in overtime on March 18 in Chicago. In that game, Alex Pietrangelo and Vince Dunn each recorded four-point games, marking the first time in franchise history that two Blues defensemen had four points in the same game.
The Blues have won three of their last four games against the Blackhawks (3-0-1) and have earned points in seven of their last nine games against Chicago (6-2-1).
Wednesday's game will be the 309th all-time regular season meeting between the clubs, which is the most the Blues have played any opponent.

HOT VS. CHICAGO

• Patrik Berglund has a four-game point streak (four goals, one assist)
  - Vladimir Tarasenko has 16 points in his last 12 games (11 goals, 5 assists)
  - Alex Pietrangelo has nine points in his last eight games (four goals, five assists)
  - Alexander Steen has 11 points in his last 11 games (four goals, seven assists)
  - Brayden Schenn has four points in his last five games (two goals, two assists)
  - Jake Allen is 8-4-1 with a 2.41 goals-against average and a .919 save-percentage in his career against Chicago and has allowed two or fewer goals in eight of 13 games.

BLUE NOTES

• Alex Pietrangelo is expected to play in his 615th career game, passing Barclay Plager and tying Bob Plager for second among Blues defensemen on the Blues' all-time list.
  - Fans can purchase raffle tickets on the concourse for a chance to win a postgame meet-and-greet with Chris Thorburn and several of his teammates. In addition, a special silent auction will be held outside Section 114 and online at
  blues.gesture.com
  .
  Proceeds from the raffle tickets and silent auctions will benefit a Special School District classroom
  at Flynn Park Elementary School.
  - A pregame happy hour with food and drink specials and live music from That 80's Band begins inside Scottrade Center at 5 p.m. Fans should enter at the 14th Street Entrance.
  - All fans will receive a 2017-18 team poster courtesy of Fry-Wagner.