Game on — Blackhawks experience vs. Blues desperation in Game 7

Blues coach Ken Hitchcock can break down any hockey scenario in precise, often entertaining, detail. But Joel Quenneville’s simple approach seemed to capture the moment best before a Game 7.

“You live or you’re dead,” Quenenville said as the Hawks prepared for the decisive game of their first-round series with the Blues on Monday night at Scottrade Center. “That’s what it’s all about. One play can make the determination of a whole season and great opportunity. Attention to detail’s more important in a Game 7.”

Most of the Blackhawks have been here before. Most of the Blues have not. But the Blues will be playing at home and until Game 6 were clearly the better team. The road team is 25-19 in this year’s playoffs. The road team is 10-7 in Game 7 over the last four postseasons.

Both teams appeared cool to the pressure of the big game after their respective morning skates. Blues forward David Backes, who never has played in a Game 7 in the NHL, answered questions from start to finish and never flinched when the subject of the Blues’ previous playoff failures — first-round losses in 2013, 2014 and 2015 — was broached.

The Hawks have been here before and it showed. Some teams try to convince themselves they’re not overwhelmed by the magnitude of the moment. But the Hawks seem to truly embrace it.

“I think it’s going to be fun, said defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson, a veteran of four previous Game 7s with the Hawks. “I don’t think there’s really too much nerves involved. These are the kind of games you want to play — unless you win in four, five or six.

“But we’ll take Game 7 and it’s going to be a lot of fun. It’s been a great series so far. Entertaining game. I think the crowd has enjoyed them as well. So hopefully we can give them a good finish.”

Momentum seems like a random effect in the Stanley Cup playoffs — you have it until you don’t. But there’s no doubt the Hawks have it after their 6-3 victory in Game 6 at the United Center — when they scored five unanswered goals after falling behind 3-1.

“I definitely believe in momentum,” forward Marian Hossa said. “Especially in the playoffs. It’s a huge thing. It could be crucial.”

The Hawks have a history of measuring their opponent and taking control of a playoff series in the latter stages. Despite a Game 4 loss at the United Center, that trend has continued. With victories in Games 5 and 6, they are now 32-7 in Games 5-7 of a playoff series under Joel Quenneville. (The next best record in that category in the salary-cap era belongs to the Kings at 15-10.)

“I thought we played to our full potential,” Hjalmarsson said. “We found a different level to compete, so hopefully we can carry on to [Game 7].”

The question is whether the Hawks will be able to play that same pace in Game 7 against a Blues team that will face elimination for the first time, and will be playing at home.

It carried over last year against Anaheim in the Western Conference final, when the Hawks — after winning Game 6 at the United Center — took a 3-0 lead in the first period and coasted to a 5-3 victory in Game 7.

“That’s when we play our best — when the D are joining the rush and the forwards are keeping it simple,” Hjalmarsson said. “I know as long as we keep playing solid defensively we usually score a couple of goals. That’s how you win hockey games.”

As for the Blues, they insist they are not burdened by previous playoff series losses, or the losses in Game 5 and 6 that forced them into this position.

“That game ended,” Backes said of Game 6. “We think about it for about half an hour, bury it and worry about the next one — because the stuff in the rear-view mirror you can’t control any more.

“Today we have a clean slate just like they had in Games 5 and 6 and it’s 0-0 with two hungry teams. Can’t say enough about how excited we are to drop the puck and get our game on and see what happens.”