The St. Louis Blues hope they don’t need to fire head coach Ken Hitchcock after this year’s playoffs. On this day 21 years ago, they fired head coach Brian Sutter, who was the team’s winningest coach at the time. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Here’s today’s NHL history.

May 1

1965 – The Conn Smythe Trophy was awarded for the first time for the league’s most valuable player during the playoffs. Jean Beliveau was given this honor after beating Chicago 4-0 in Game 7 to win the Stanley Cup. In the history of the Conn Smythe Trophy, Patrick Roy has won the award three times, the most by one player.

1992- The St. Louis Blues hope they don’t have to do this after this season. On this day 21 years ago, the Blues fired head coach Brian Sutter. At the time Sutter was the winningest coach in Blues’ history with a 153-124-73 record. He also won the Jack Adams Award in 1991.

1992 – This is pretty cool and relevant to the time of year, the playoffs. Buffalo player Pat LaFontaine scored a goal in his seventh playoff game of the year. LaFontaine had scored a goal in each of Buffalo’s first six playoff games. He became the first player ever to score a goal in his team’s first seven playoff games.

Thanks to Greatest Hockey Legends again for today’s information. Please check out this great blog.

Tuesday April 30, 2013

Apr 30, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Bryan Bickell (29) is congratulated by his teammates for scoring the game-winning goal against the Minnesota Wild during overtime in game one of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at the United Center. The Blackhawks beat the Wild 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

#8 Minnesota Wild @ #1 Chicago BlackHawks

Game 1: Chicago 2 Minnesota 1 OT

-This was a great way to kickoff the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. The game was back and forth for the most part, and it took extra time to decide the contest. Cal Clutterbuck opened the scoring for the Wild in the first period, and Marian Hossa tied it for the BlackHawks in the second. The third period was played scoreless and 16:35 into overtime Bryan Bickell scored the game-winner for Chicago. Josh Harding made 35 saves for the Wild, while Corey Crawford stopped 25 of 26 faced.

Chicago leads series 1-0

Game 2 Friday @ CHI 9:30 EST

Apr 30, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues left wing Alexander Steen (20) is congratulated after scoring a short handed overtime goal against the Los Angeles Kings in game one of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at the Scottrade Center. The Blues defeated the Kings 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

#5 Los Angeles Kings @ #4 St. Louis Blues

Game 1: STL 2 LAK 1 OT

-Although this one went to overtime also, it was not much of an even game. It was all Blues. St. Louis controlled the game and outshot the Kings 36-19 in regulation. Alexander Steen scored in the first period to give the Blues the lead, and seemed to cruise the rest of the way. However, Justin Williams found some magic and scored to tie the game with only 32 seconds left. In the overtime period, Steen scored again, but this one was shorthanded and a game winner. At the time of the goal, Kevin Shattenkirk was serving a four minute double minor penalty for the Blues. The Kings had their chance. Jonathan Quick made 40 saves for the Kings and Brian Elliott stopped 28 of 29 shots faced.

St. Louis leads series 1-0

Game 2 Thursday @ STL 9:30 EST

April 30, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Saku Koivu (11), goalie Jonas Hiller (1) and the Ducks celebrate their 3-1 victory against the Detroit Red Wings following game one of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at the Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

#7 Detroit Red Wings @ #2 Anaheim Ducks

Game 1: ANA 3 DET 1

-This was a pretty decent game to my surprise. The teams traded goals in the first period before the Ducks scored two in the third period, including an empty net goal. The goals scorers in order were Nick Bonino (ANA PPG), Daniel Cleary (DET PPG), Teemu Selanne (ANA PPG), and Francois Beauchemin (ANA EN). Jimmy Howard made 24 saves for Detroit, while Jonas Hiller stopped 21 of 22 shots faced.

Anaheim leads series 1-0

Game 2 Thursday @ ANA 10:00 EST

 Tonight’s Games

**All Games are Game 1 of the best of seven series**

Toronto @ Boston 7:00 EST

New York Islanders @ Pittsburgh 7:30 EST

San Jose @ Vancouver 10:30 EST