The defending Stanley Cup Champions Chicago Blackhawks will begin defense of their title when they take road ice to open up a best of seven series against the St Louis Blues in Game 1 in an NHL playoff game on Thursday night.

Start time for Game 1 in St Louis is scheduled for 8PM Eastern Time with national television coverage provided by NBC Sports Network.

The NHL playoff odds have the home side St Louis Blues favored by -125 odds with the return on the road underdog Chicago Blackhawks at +115 odds. The goal total is lined at 5 1/2.