Chicago Blackhawks Rivalry

Lore & Background

The intensity is fueled by the relatively short drive between the two cities, allowing fans to travel easily and creating a volatile atmosphere whenever the teams meet. The rivalry is not just about points; it is about regional pride and identity. For St. Louis fans, beating Chicago has historically been a benchmark of success, while for Blackhawks supporters, the Blues represent the primary obstacle in their quest for Western Conference supremacy.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the arena was thick with humidity and anticipation as the Blues' blue jerseys lined up against the red and black of Chicago. The crowd's roar was a physical force, vibrating through the glass and into the ice itself. As the puck dropped, the silence was absolute for a heartbeat before the clash of sticks erupted. It wasn't just a game; it was a continuation of a decades-long argument written in sweat, blood, and hockey tape.

Reader's Guide

While this rivalry is played on the road at Chicago's United Center or at home in St. Louis, the atmosphere is defined by the unique energy of the Blues' home arena. Fans often arrive hours early to participate in tailgating traditions near the stadium, creating a festival-like environment that blends sports with local culture. The local media landscape amplifies every shift and penalty, with radio broadcasts becoming legendary for their passionate commentary on these specific matchups. The rivalry is deeply integrated into St. Louis life, serving as a unifying force during winter months where community identity is closely tied to the team's performance against their neighbors. Unique rituals include the collective singing of team anthems that echo through the rafters and the intense focus on defensive play when facing Chicago's speed. The integration of this rivalry into local life ensures that every game day feels like a civic event, drawing people from all walks of life to support the Blues in their quest for regional dominance.

Did You Know?

• The rivalry dates back to the very first season the Blues played in the NHL, following the 1967 expansion.
• St. Louis and Chicago have met numerous times in the playoffs, with several series going to the final game.
• The geographic proximity of roughly three hours drives a significant travel crowd between the two cities.

Origins and Divisional Dominance

The roots of this intense NHL conflict trace back to the league's expansion era, where Chicago ownership actively lobbied for a St. Louis franchise to offload their poorly maintained arena. This strategic maneuvering birthed the Blues in 1967, cementing a geographic rivalry between two cities just 300 miles apart that mirrored the baseball animosity between the Cardinals and Cubs. Since the 1970-71 season, excluding only the pandemic-altered 2020-21 campaign, these franchises have shared a divisional home, evolving through the West, Smythe, Norris, and Central divisions. Their competitive overlap was so profound that from 1980 to 1997, they qualified for the playoffs simultaneously every single year. During the Norris Division era specifically, their dominance was absolute; nearly every division final between 1982 and 1993 featured at least one of these teams, with only the 1987 series involving Detroit and Toronto breaking the streak.

The Sutter Family Dynasty

Few rivalries feature such a deep familial entanglement as the Blackhawks and Blues, largely due to the legendary Sutter brothers. All six siblings played for at least one of these franchises, creating unique brother-versus-brother matchups that intensified regular season battles and playoff series. Darryl and Brian dedicated their entire playing careers exclusively to Chicago and St. Louis respectively, later transitioning into head coaching roles with both organizations. The dynamic reached its peak in the 1992 Norris Division semifinal, where twins Ron and Rich suited up for the Blues while Brian coached them, pitted against a Blackhawks roster containing Brent, with Darryl as an assistant coach and Duane serving as a scout. This complex web of family ties added a personal layer to the competition, ensuring that every face-off carried emotional weight beyond standard team rivalry.

Violence and Defining Brawls

Historically recognized as the most physical rivalry in the league regarding penalty minutes and fighting, the Blackhawks-Blues matchup was notorious for spontaneous brawls during its peak intensity. The defining moment of this aggression occurred on March 17, 1991, an event infamously dubbed the "St. Patrick's Day Massacre." Following a hard hit by Jeremy Roenick and subsequent shoving matches involving Glen Featherstone and Keith Brown, twelve players were ejected from the game. The chaos resulted in a staggering 278 penalty minutes, leading to severe suspensions for key players like Mike Peluso and Kelly Chase, alongside significant fines for both organizations. This level of hostility was further exemplified by Ed Belfour's reaction after a controversial overtime loss in 1993; the Blackhawks goaltender reportedly caused thousands of dollars in damage to the Blues' locker room, smashing equipment in frustration over an interference call that allowed Craig Janney to score the series-winning goal.

The Presidents' Trophy Showdown

The rivalry reached its competitive zenith during the 1990-91 season when both teams fought for the top seed in the Campbell Conference and the prestigious Presidents' Trophy. The race was decided on the final day of the regular season, with Chicago edging out St. Louis by a single point to claim all three major honors after defeating Detroit, while the Blues lost their bid despite winning against Minnesota. Although they were expected to clash immediately in the Norris Division Final, both teams suffered massive upsets; Chicago fell to Minnesota in six games, and St. Louis was eliminated by the same team shortly after. These losses are historically significant as the second and third largest upsets in NHL history based on point differentials, marking a tragic end to an otherwise dominant season for two of the league's premier franchises.