Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues Free Live Streaming NHL PLAYOFF Hockey Online Thursday Night from at 7:00 PM ET

Just as last spring, the Blues have the higher seed but the unenviable task of facing the defending Stanley Cup champion in the first round of the playoffs.

For the Blues to prevail against the Blackhawks in a matchup of 100-point teams and long-time rivals with Game 1 Thursday night, coach Ken Hitchcock says they'll need standout play from goalie Ryan Miller.

St. Louis lost in six games to the Kings and Jonathan Quick last year and acquired Miller from Buffalo in hopes of making a deep run.

"We're going to need our goalie to be great," Hitchcock said Wednesday. "He's shown the ability to get into people's heads if he plays the way he can."

Miller won seven of his first eight starts after coming from Buffalo, but finished 0-5 with a 3.56 goals-against average.

The game will be live streaming online atnhl.aoso.ru/‎