NHL Playoffs 2016: Updated TV Schedule, Odds, Standings and Bracket Predictions

The Chicago Blackhawks have battled back from the brink of oblivion, and they have an opportunity to complete a tremendous comeback and advance to the second round Monday. 

If they do so, the St. Louis Blues will have another empty playoff series that will cause many sleepless nights throughout the summer.

The Blues had played sensational hockey through the first four games of the series, building a 3-1 edge. However, the Blackhawks rebounded in championship form by using a Patrick Kane goal in double overtime to win Game 5 and a six-goal blitz in Game 6 to even the series.

The Blackhawks, of course, have tremendous confidence in their ability to come through in decisive playoff games. They are the defending Stanley Cup champions, and they have won three titles since 2010. The Blues have been one of the best regular-season teams in the league, but they have not won a first-round series since 2012.

Brent Seabrook told NHL.com's Brian Hedger the Blackhawks know the environment in St. Louis will be loud and difficult.

"We know it's going to be a hostile building in St. Louis," he said. "It was fun playing there in Game 5. It was loud. It was a good one. We're not expecting anything different [Monday] night, so we've just got to come out and play our game."

The Blackhawks defeated the Anaheim Ducks in Game 7 on the road in last year's Western Conference Final.

The Blues are under pressure, but center Troy Brouwer tried to put a good face on their situation. 

"It's as much pressure as you want to put on yourself," he said, per Hedger. "We're excited to play. I know a lot of guys in here haven't played a Game 7 yet in their career. They're excited for it. We're going to have some fun with it."

Game	Series	Time (ET)	TV
Anaheim at Nashville	Anaheim, 3-2	8 p.m.	CNBC, TVAS, SN, FS-TN, FS-W
Chicago at St. Louis	3-3	8:30 p.m.	NBCSN, CBC, TVAS, FS-MW, CSN-CH

If the Blues are going to win the game, they will need strong showings from goaltender Brian Elliott and star Vladimir Tarasenko. Elliott had been impressive through the first four games of the series, but the Blackhawks have scored 10 goals in the last two games (one into an empty net).

The Chicago Tribune noted the Blackhawks have had their way with him since Game 4:

Tarasenko has scored four goals and six points in the series, and when he has a split second of daylight to shoot, he is lethal.

The Blackhawks need their stars to come through one more time. Kane, Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Corey Crawford have a history of playing their best games in the biggest moments, and this is another one of those moments.

The oddsmakers view Monday's game as dead even. Both teams have 19-20 odds to come out on top, according to Odds Shark.

Look for the Blackhawks to break hearts in St. Louis on Monday night. They will win and face the Dallas Stars in the second round.

Ducks vs. Predators

The Anaheim Ducks are in position to finish their first-round series after reeling off three straight victories over the Nashville Predators.

Team	Record	Skinny
Pittsburgh Penguins	4-1	Displayed explosive offense and team speed
San Jose Sharks	4-1	Overcame significant demons by beating Los Angeles
Tampa Bay Lightning	4-1	Impressive victory without Stamkos
Dallas Stars	4-2	Barely hung on in Game 6, goaltending issues
Washington Capitals	4-2	Breathing again in Washington
New York Islanders	4-2	Tavares, Tavares, Tavares!
Anaheim Ducks	3-2	Nice rally after putrid start
Chicago Blackhawks	3-3	Tough to kill the defending champs
St. Louis Blues	3-3	Blues trying to avoid another first-round nightmare
Nashville Predators	2-3	Have lost momentum after great start
Florida Panthers	2-4*	Back-to-back double-OT losses
Philadelphia Flyers	2-4*	Great effort falls short in Game 6
Minnesota Wild	2-4*	Tremendous rally in third periosd is not enough
Detroit Red Wings	1-4*	Fought hard but did not have enough against Tampa Bay
Los Angeles Kings	1-4*	Disappointing finish for powerful team
New York Rangers	1-4*	Brutal showing against Pens
*Eliminated

The Ducks were sleepy in the first two games of the series at home, but they righted themselves with two victories in Nashville, and they finally registered a 5-2 victory at home Saturday night.

The Predators kept the Ducks off the scoreboard until late in the second period, and when Nashville opened the scoring with a goal by Ryan Johansen, it appeared as though the road team would have another chance to pull off the victory.

Victor Decolongon/Getty Images

However, David Perron responded with the game-tying goal seconds later, and Ryan Garbut gave the Ducks a lead they did not relinquish less than two minutes after that.

Anaheim (47-50 odds in Game 6, according to Odds Shark) appears to have all the momentum, but Nashville (24-25 odds) is a tough, well-coached team that does not give up. Look for head coach Peter Laviolette to rally his team and coax an excellent game out of his players.

Still, it's difficult to see Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Kesler and Frederik Andersen letting Monday's contest slip away.

The Ducks will outlast the Preds 5-3 and move on to a series against the San Jose Sharks.