Corey Crawford surprised with Blues' resiliency: 'They're not the same team'

Though their composition entered largely unchanged, Corey Crawford sees an entirely different opponent in the St. Louis Blues.

"Whatever happens in the season, whatever's happened in years before, they're not the same team," the Blackhawks netminder said after their 3-2 loss to the Blues on Sunday.

And he's right. Because after every major decision went in their favor in a slim 3-2 victory in Game 2, the defending champs should be considered fortunate to be down 2-1 to a team that's won one postseason series over the last five tournament bids.

But what is it, exactly, that's the difference for a team looking to shake its label as Western Conference doormats?

So far, it's not an offense with six goals in three games. You wouldn't hang it on a total team defense allowing 37 shots per outing. And while Ken Hitchcock's mild reaction to Vladimir Tarasenko's series-altering wiped-out goal in Game 2 relayed confidence, his focus on the team totaling 70 hits ostensibly crosses off the possibility of a new, progressive style.

Really, the only discernible difference so far has been the spectacular play of Brian Elliott, and his numbers through three games that tower over what Ryan Miller and Jake Allen were able to provide the previous two seasons.

For what it's worth, Miller's forgettable save clip came in a six-game defeat to the Blackhawks.