A win tonight gets the Blues a three games to one advantage in their first round series against the Chicago Blackhawks. After three straight years of getting bumped in round one after losing four straight, a 3-1 playoff advantage would be near proof positive that this team is different. Fighting back from a deficit, not turtling and giving up - that was game three. Getting out to a quick lead in game four and clamping down on the Blackhawks tonight would be a great way to ensure that the series comes back to St. Louis with an opportunity to eliminate the Blackhawks on Thursday night.

Is it going to be easy? Heck no - Patrick Kane doesn't take a double minor every game. The Blues don't always have the best luck when it comes to pucks rattling off of the posts. But if you're a Blues fan, and you're starting to feel this weird feeling, don't freak out. I've heard it's called something like "optimism."

This is your morning open thread. Check back later on for a media update (it's another late start time), your game preview from CrossCheckRaise, and your GDT. Whatever else pops up over the course of the day'll be here too. While you're waiting for the puck to drop, take a nap, wake up, then head over to Second City Hockey to see what they think the Hawks need to do tonight to win.