from Norm Sanders of the News-Democrat,

Detroit's move to the Eastern Conference from the Western leaves Chicago as the Blues' natural top rival.

"It's already there, but it's just going to get more and more fierce," Backes said. "We play them five times during the regular season and then in order to get to the next level in the playoffs. you're going to have to beat two other teams in your division to get there."

The Blues have won the season series against Chicago only twice since 2005. Has the 2013-14 edition of the Blues managed to close the gap a bit?

"They've proven themselves twice now," Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk said with a nod to Chicago's two recent championships. "We went through a little bit of growing pains the past couple years. They were able to get to the summit quicker and achieve that goal.

"I don't think we view them as any better than us because they've won it. We look at them as equals and (Wednesday) we have to best them and do it for the rest of the season."

Chicago star Patrick Kane said recently he felt Vancouver was a bigger rivalry for the Blackhawks than the Blues.