Articles from May 2010

Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final was nothing like Game 1 except for the result -- another Chicago victory.
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Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said after analyzing the tape from Game 1 that his team has to work for their power plays. He was obviously hinting that they didn't work hard enough because they didn't draw any power-play opportunities. Read More...

Philadelphia's Scott Hartnell likely had his best game of the playoffs in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. Read More...

Tomas Kopecky raised his arms and pounded the glass with both hands five times as he let out a scream usually reserved for the United Center fans during "The Star-Spangled Banner."
 
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You could almost hear the San Jose Sharks sitting around their TVs watching Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final asking each other the same question. Read More...

The fans still boo lustily inside United Center whenever one of their beloved hometown Blackhawks heads to the penalty box. Read More...

All Troy Brouwer wanted to do Saturday night was be ready at game time and build some confidence for the rest of the Stanley Cup Final.

Done. Read More...

It was a strange sight to behold. Jonathan Toews, standing at his locker after his Blackhawks won Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, looking like he had just single-handedly lost the game. Read More...

Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews didn't have the best night in Game 1. His club record 13-game scoring streak came to a screeching halt as he finished a minus-3 with only one shot on goal. But he also won 18 of 24 faceoffs and had nearly seven minutes of ice time in the third period when the Hawks were much better. Read More...

It was a pretty surreal scene in and around the dressing rooms at United Center Saturday morning as the Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers made final preparations hours before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final (8 p.m. ET, NBC, CBC, RDS). Read More...

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.-- The American Hockey League announced that more than $3 million was raised over the course of the 2009-10 season by the AHL and its 29 member clubs for donation to various charitable causes and relief funds across North America.
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Before the Chicago Blackhawks had ever heard of Antti Niemi, a man named Matti Lehto made a call to his son  Markus and said that he'd just seen a young goalie worth a look. Read More...

Jonathan Toews' nickname, "Captain Serious," is one that fits him like an extra-large shirt on a man who could comfortably squeeze into a large. Read More...

The Philadelphia Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks will line up proudly on their respective blue lines Saturday night in the United Center as conference champions, Stanley Cup finalists and, based upon the only barometer that matters – the ability to win playoff games – the two best teams in the National Hockey League. Read More...

The journey to the Stanley Cup Finals for the Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers includes two unlikely goaltenders – Antti Niemi and Michael Leighton.  Both are products of the Blackhawks organization, but neither was expected to be where they are right now.
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By this point, Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa knows the drill like he knows how to pick teams as a free agent. Read More...

And then there were two. The 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Final will feature two teams that are meeting in the Final series for the first time in their storied histories. Team owners, Rocky Wirtz of the Chicago Blackhawks and Ed Snider of the Philadelphia Flyers will be today’s guests on NHL Hour With Commissioner Gary Bettman on NHL.com and SIRIUS XM Radio at 6 p.m. ET. Read More...

While players from the Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers met Thursday with members of the media in the Windy City, the respective heads of the teams that will meet in the Stanley Cup Final made guest appearances on the NHL Hour With Commissioner Gary Bettman. Read More...

Rockford, Ill.- Hammy Hog will be out and about at several locations in the Rock River Valley region over the next week. Read More...

Rockford, Ill.- A total of 38 Rockford IceHogs game-worn road jerseys from the 2009-10 season will be on sale throughout the summer.  All jerseys will be auctioned through eBay with a start at $350.  Pictures and descriptions will be posted on the IceHogs eBay store. Read More...

The 2010 Calder Cup Finals is set and will pit the league’s newest club against its most historic. After knocking off the Hamilton Bulldogs 4-2 on Wednesday night, the Texas Stars advanced to the Finals and will get an opportunity in unseat the defending Calder Cup Champion Hershey Bears. Read More...

Pop in a Stanley Cup DVD from any of the last four seasons and you'll find Marian Hossa and Chris Pronger among the highlighted players. They are All-Stars, franchise building blocks, and dominant players at their respective positions. Read More...

Hamilton, Ont.- It all comes down to one game in the American Hockey League’s Western Conference Finals between the Texas Stars and Hamilton Bulldogs. Tied at three games apiece, Game 7 is set for Wednesday night at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton at 6:30 p.m. Read More...

No matter what opponents have tried, nothing has kept Blackhawks power forward Dustin Byfuglien from making life miserable for goalies during the playoffs. Read More...

In conjunction with Chicago’s WGN Radio and the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Blackhawks announced today that all 2010 Stanley Cup Final games will be broadcast on WGN Radio, the radio flagship of the Cubs and Blackhawks. Read More...

The McCormick Foundation and Chicago Blackhawk Charities (CBC) are pleased to announce the creation of the Chicago Blackhawks Community Fund, a fund of the McCormick Foundation. Read More...

Duncan Keith speaks with a heavy lisp now after seven teeth were knocked out by a puck on Sunday, followed by two hours in a dentist's chair on Monday. Read More...

The Flyers and Blackhawks are relative strangers to one another, having played only one regular-season game this, won by the Flyers, 3-2, on March 13. The only time Chicago and Philadelphia met in the playoffs previously was a 1971 Quarterfinals sweep by the Blackhawks. Read More...

Let me say first off that I’m going to be picking the Chicago Blackhawks to end nearly 50 years of frustration and losing and pain to win their fourth Stanley Cup. It’s a given. You knew this would happen. I haven’t been calling them “my beloved Blackhawks” these past five years for nothing. If you just wanted to know who I was picking, you can stop reading this column right now. Read More...

Rockford, Ill.- The Early Bird discount period for 2010-11 Rockford IceHogs season ticket renewals ends on Friday, May 28 at 5 p.m. Read More...

NEW YORK (May 24, 2010) – The National Hockey League announced today the schedule for the 2010 Stanley Cup Final between the Western Conference champion Chicago Blackhawks and the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia Flyers. Read More...

What the ‘Hawks are on the verge of doing is something I personally haven’t seen them do before. I know I’ve written before that I’ve watched hockey on and off since the mid-80s, I really didn’t start following the ‘Hawks until 1997. For the next ten years, there weren’t a lot of high points: basically, them making the playoffs in 2001 was it. So the incredible run they made in the playoff last year, and the glorious run they’ve put on this postseason have been the highlights of my ‘Hawk fandom so far. Read More...

Blackhawks left wing Andrew Ladd laid a hit on Rob Blake just past the 10-minute mark in the first period Sunday and didn't return for the rest of Game 4. His injury was not disclosed by the team, though coach Joel Quenneville did say he expects that Ladd will be fine to play in the Stanley Cup Final, whenever it does begin. Read More...

The National Hockey League announced today the schedule for the 2010 Stanley Cup Final between the Western Conference champion Chicago Blackhawks and the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia Flyers. Read More...

For the first time in 18 years the Chicago Blackhawks are going to the Stanley Cup Finals, and the team has a distinct Rockford IceHogs flavor to it. Read More...

Home hasn’t always been sweet for my beloved ‘Hawks, and you have to figure San Jose will throw everything into this game to get back into this series. But the ramifications for potentially going up 3-0 this series are something worth fighting for. I’m primed and ready to go, filled with my favorite Chicken Carb and a beer or two. ‘Hawks are undefeated this postseason when I eat my favorite sandwich and write one of these recaps, and yes, just like every other fan out there, I feel that the routine I do affects my beloved Blackhawks. Let’s get this frakking party started!  Read More...

Jonathan Toews held his left arm behind his back for fear that he might graze the Clarence Campbell Trophy. Chicago's young captain didn't touch it, barely even looked at it, in fact. No need to, really. Read More...

Dustin Byfuglien continues to be huge for the Chicago Blackhawks, both literally and metaphorically. Read More...

The chicklets came pouring out of his mouth, and one even got stuck in the back of his throat. Duncan Keith lost seven teeth in all, three on the top and four on the bottom, when the puck came off Patrick Marleau's stick and hit him square in the mouth. Read More...

As he sat in the penalty box for the third time, Dave Bolland quietly vowed to make up for it during Friday night's Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. Read More...

Dustin Byfuglien's first-ever Stanley Cup Playoff goal at home couldn't have come at a better time. Read More...

Todd McLellan broke up his Big Three on Friday night to eliminate the effectiveness of the Blackhawks checking line.
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Blackhawks legend Stan Mikita celebrated his 70th birthday on Thursday, then had another celebration Friday night at the United Center for Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. Read More...

Ever since they were kids wielding sticks on the neighborhood streets, on the frozen-over ponds or even on their own, man-made backyard rinks, guys like Duncan Keith, Patrick Sharp, Jonathan Toews and many others wearing the Indian head on their chest have pretended they were in the Stanley Cup Final. Read More...

While most of his teammates are talking about staying the course in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, San Jose captain Rob Blake said Saturday he doesn't think the Sharks have deserved anything but the 0-3 hole they find themselves in. Read More...

Patrick Sharp isn't quite sure if he's now a tried and true center or simply a winger who had to move into the middle to balance out the Chicago Blackhawks' top two lines. Read More...

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.- Oklahoma City’s American Hockey League team officially has a name: The Oklahoma City Barons. After an exhaustive process which included over 20,000 submissions and 3,000 individual names from hockey fans the city’s newest hockey team now has an identity. Read More...

Thanks to Bryan Bickell, there is a chance that the Stanley Cup will come to Orono.  Bickell, an Orono native, is doing what nearly every Canadian kid dreams about: playing in the Stanley Cup playoffs. He’s played for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League quite a lot over the past four years, but the last few games he’s played have been like a dream come true. The last four games he’s played for Chicago have been during the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs. Read More...

They're up two games to none on the San Jose Sharks in the Western Conference Finals, they're feeling good and now the Blackhawks must face their biggest detriment thus far in the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Read More...

The Blackhawks enter Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals with a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series against the San Jose Sharks. Here are five things to look for when they meet Friday (8 p.m. ET, VERSUS, TSN, RDS) at United Center: Read More...

Patrick Kane sat at his locker stall after Thursday's fast-paced and short practice at United Center. When he glanced up, Kane saw he was surrounded by several television cameras, as well as reporters from every type of media. Read More...

Expectations are not usually high for an eighth-round pick in the National Hockey League Entry Draft.  So when Dustin Byfuglien joined the Chicago Blackhawks organization in 2003 by way of the #245 overall pick in the draft, it was probably something of a case of “let’s see what develops.”
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Rockford, Ill.- The Rockford IceHogs want you to look good when you go on vacation this summer.  To help you do that, the Rockford IceHogs Hockey Club t-shirt will be 50% off until the end of May.
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Truly, Tom Petty and his Heartbreakers had it right when they sang that the waiting is the hardest part. It’ll be after 9pm local time before tonight’s game starts, due to the fact that San Jose is two hours behind here. I’m starting to feel antsy, something that doesn’t usually happen to me because, well, the game would have started by now. Read More...

Jonathan Toews' power-play goal roughly halfway through Game 2 wound up as winner in the Chicago Blackhawks' 4-2 victory at HP Pavilion on Tuesday night. The captain also added an assist on Dustin Byfuglien's goal 90 seconds earlier, and now has points in 11 consecutive games. He leads the NHL with 16 assists and 23 points. Read More...

Here's a good omen for Cup-starved Chicago fans: You're in good company after the Hawks extended their road winning streak in this year's playoffs to seven games with a 4-2 victory at San Jose on Tuesday night. Read More...

Dave Bolland wants to know if Joe Thornton thought his glove was the puck. Why else would Thornton take a pretty good whack at his wrists before the official could even drop the puck for a faceoff? Read More...

Chicago, Ill.- The Chicago Blackhawks return home today from a nine-day road trip with a 2-0 lead over the San Jose Sharks in the National Hockey League’s Western Conference Finals. Read More...

Save for the crucial overtime winner he scored in Game 5 of the first round against Nashville, Chicago winger Marian Hossa has been pretty quiet in the playoffs. He's scored only twice on his 42 shots on goal and was 0-for-6 Sunday in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final. Read More...

A Shark for all of two months at the end of the 2007-08 season, Brian Campbell still incurred the wrath of his former fans in Game 1 Sunday. Every time the Chicago Blackhawks' defenseman touched the puck he was booed -- loudly.
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Chicago will try to win its seventh straight road game Tuesday at HP Pavilion in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. Several Blackhawks players feel their success in unfriendly atmospheres boils down to the simple fact that they play a different game than they do at home. Read More...

As the Chicago Blackhawks continue another deep Stanley Cup Playoff run, goalie Antti Niemi continues to grow his mystique. Read More...

Due to the Bruins-Flyers’ series ending on Friday, I didn’t have enough time to write a Conference Finals Picks’ column, so here goes my predictions: ‘Hawks in six, Flyers in seven. Read More...

Chicago center Patrick Sharp is having himself quite the postseason, and he added to it with a big goal in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final on Sunday afternoon. Sharp scored the game-tying goal 7:44 into the second period and the Blackhawks went on to win, 2-1, behind Antti Niemi's 44 saves. Read More...

Well, I got what I deserved when the ‘Hawks lost Game 6. I thought I could get away with just eating my Chicken Carb, and since I was at a Mother’s Day gathering, I couldn’t write my usual diary. So much for that plan. I guess it’s like with any hockey player’s usual pre-game routine. You have to do every step, every time, or you feel like something’s missing and you’re usually off your game. I’d like to say it was the ‘Hawks and their lackluster play, but you should know by now how near and dear I hold good luck routines to my heart. Read More...

You have to get up pretty early in the morning if you want to stop Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley. And thanks to a noon start Pacific Time, the Chicago Blackhawks were able to do just that. Read More...

He didn't even know how the puck got to Ryane Clowe at the right post, but Antti Niemi figured in a flash that he better stick out his glove hand to stop the shot coming off Clowe's stick. Read More...

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Much of North America will probably find themselves smacking their TV sets and double-checking their program guides after flipping on NBC on Sunday afternoon. Read More...

The San Jose Sharks had eight players take part in the 2010 Winter Olympics. The Chicago Blackhawks sent six players to Vancouver. Of those 14 players, nine were on the ice for the gold-medal game. Read More...

Having a shut-down checking line to pester the opposition's best scorers is a must during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. But Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville says it's going to take more than just a three-man unit to shut down the Sharks' top line of Dany Heatley, Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. Read More...

With nearly two rounds worth of sweat and surprises completed, the contenders for Lord Stanley's Cup is down to five teams, with the Stanley Cup Playoffs Conference Finals beginning May 16. Read More...

Mayor Richard M. Daley today wagered a package of local food, drink and other products with the Mayor of San Jose on the success of the Chicago Blackhawks in the upcoming Western Conference Finals against the San Jose Sharks. Read More...

It's taken some time, but the Chicago Blackhawks finally figured out how to beat the San Jose Sharks. Read More...

The Chicago Blackhawks will launch their Western Conference Final series when they face off against the San Jose Sharks beginning at HP Pavilion on Sunday, May 16 at 2:00 P.M. (CT) and on Tuesday, May 18 at 9:00 P.M. (CT). Read More...

Home to more than 20 sharks in its award-winning Wild Reef exhibit, Shedd Aquarium knows all about facing off with sharks. But the San Jose Sharks are no match for either their sly predatory namesakes, or the NHL powerhouse Chicago Blackhawks! Read More...

The Chicago Blackhawks will launch their Western Conference Final series when they face off against the San Jose Sharks beginning at HP Pavilion on Sunday, May 16 at 2:00 P.M. (CT). The complete Western Conference Final schedule will be announced by the National Hockey League on Friday. Read More...

Rockford, Ill.- Rockford IceHogs merchandise is now available at GQ Sports inside CherryVale Mall and at six Walgreens locations in the Rockford area. Read More...

Rockford, Ill.- The Texas Stars became the final piece of the Conference Finals puzzle on Tuesday when they beat the Chicago Wolves in Game 7 of the West Division Finals at the Allstate Arena.  The Stars will face the Hamilton Bulldogs in the best-of-seven Western Conference championship beginning on Friday at Copps Coliseum in Ontario. Read More...

Vancouver, BC-The Chicago Blackhawks have advanced to the 2010 Western Conference Finals with a 5-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night at GM Place.  The victory secured a 4-games-to-2 series win over the Canucks, and a meeting with the San Jose Sharks in the Conference Finals.  San Jose will host Games 1 and 2, with dates and times to be determined. Read More...

The Chicago Blackhawks have advanced to the 2010 Western Conference Finals with a 5-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night at GM Place. The victory secured a 4-games-to-2 series win over the Canucks, and a meeting with the San Jose Sharks in the Conference Finals. San Jose will host Games 1 and 2, with dates and times to be determined. Read More...

The Chicago Blackhawks will prepare for the Western Conference Final in Northern California this week with a bit of a swagger knowing they had the San Jose Sharks' number during the regular season. Read More...

Chicago didn't do anything different or better in the second period Tuesday night. The Blackhawks mainly just kept the pressure on the Canucks and their goalie, Roberto Luongo, who was awesome through the first 20 minutes. Read More...

Chicago's Captain Serious was so pleased with his team's effort Tuesday night that he even cracked a smile in front of the media. Read More...

This city and GM Place will always hold a special place in Brent Seabrook's heart, and it's not just because he's from nearby Richmond, B.C. This is where the Blackhawks' defenseman experienced the greatest time of his hockey life by winning gold with Canada at the 2010 Olympics. Read More...

Rockford, Ill.– Join the Rockford IceHogs Booster Club to raise money for cancer research at Buffalo Wild Wings on E. State St. on May 17. Read More...

Several Blackhawks players talked about wanting to end this Western Conference Semifinal series on Sunday night just so they didn't have to climb aboard the team's charter plane again on Monday for a four-hour flight back to Vancouver. Read More...

Before Sunday night's Game 5 against Vancouver in this Western Conference Semifinal series, the Blackhawks talked a lot about ending it with a win and not letting the Canucks up off the mat. Read More...

After 11 games in the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs, people are starting to wonder if the Blackhawks still enjoy playing in the Windy City.
 
Or do they enjoy it too much? Read More...

Go ahead and call them optimists.

The Chicago Blackhawks players, coaches and team personnel arrived for Monday's charter flight wheeling full bags onto the runway. They were prepared for more than just an overnight trip to Vancouver for Game 6 Tuesday (9:30 p.m. ET, VERSUS, CBC, RDS). Read More...

The most hated man in British Columbia strolled off the plane at O'Hare International Airport on Saturday afternoon wearing a tan suit, a smile and cool shades. Read More...

The Blackhawks were loose this morning, and why shouldn't they be? They're up 3-1 in this Western Conference Semifinal round series against Vancouver and can close out the Canucks in front of what should be a raucous crowd at United Center Sunday night (8 p.m. ET, VERSUS, CBC, RDS). Read More...

Blackhawks forward Adam Burish has several reasons for wanting to end this Western Conference Semifinal against Vancouver Sunday night in Game 5 at the United Center (8 p.m. ET, VERSUS, CBC, RDS). Read More...

Shane O'Brien, the guilty party in two cross-checking penalties early in Game 4, believes the Vancouver Canucks have spent so much time worrying about the Chicago Blackhawks that they have forgotten one very important fact. Read More...

It's a good sign it's going to be your night when the other team is setting you up for power-play goals. Read More...

While Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews was tying franchise records, Patrick Sharp was having one of the more under-the-radar four-point nights in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Read More...

Any time Daniel Sedin is going to the penalty box twice in a 48-second span, something is extremely wrong in the world of the Vancouver Canucks. Read More...

Rockford, Ill.- 11 former Rockford IceHogs have played in this season’s Stanley Cup playoffs, including nine for the Chicago Blackhawks.  Two other former IceHogs have played in the 2010 Calder Cup playoffs. Read More...

Either the fans are waving white towels, or they all have hankies to dry their teary eyes when the ‘Hawks beat up on their favorite team. Wishful thinking. Read More...

Jonathan Toews made the most of having Dustin Byfuglien on his line Wednesday night, picking up assists on all three of Byfuglien's goals in the Chicago Blackhawks' 5-2 victory against the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday night. Read More...

Comcast SportsNet, the television home for the most comprehensive Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Playoffs coverage in HD, delivered its highest Blackhawks rating ever last evening (May 5) -- a 10.14 household rating for its live coverage of the Blackhawks Game 3 second round victory over the Vancouver Canucks. Read More...

Roberto Luongo had to put up with more than just a barrage of shots from the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 3. After a two-game absence from the front of the net, Dustin Byfuglien finally paid him a visit. Read More...

Roberto Luongo was defiant Thursday morning when it came time talk about what the Canucks have done wrong in the last two losses to the Chicago Blackhawks that have turned their 1-0 series lead into a 2-1 deficit. Read More...

Rockford, Ill.- The Rockford IceHogs, in conjunction with the Chicago Blackhawks, announced  Thursday that Tilted Kilt in Rockford will host a Chicago Blackhawks City Road Watch Party on Friday night for the Hawks Western Conference Semifinals Game 4 against the Vancouver Canucks. Read More...

Vancouver, BC- Kris Versteeg started the scoring early and Dustin Byfuglien kept it going, and going, and going. The combo, along with goalie Antti Niemi, helped lead the Chicago Blackhawks to a 5-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals. Read More...

The 2009-10 season for the Rockford IceHogs was a season filled with ups and down, records that were eclipsed, and hearts that were broken. Read More...

Chicago forward Adam Burish said before Game 2 that the best way to rattle Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo was to run him or to spray snow in his face. Read More...

It was only one game, I keep telling myself. Only one frakking game. Read More...

He’s making it a habit and Blackhawks fans continue to wonder just how goalie Antti Niemi continues to pick himself up off the mat after poor performances to shine the next time out. Read More...

The fan at the top row of the upper deck kept shouting as loud as he could at Kris Versteeg, despite not having a prayer of the Blackhawks forward hearing a single word.
 
"Get off the ice, Versteeg!" he screamed. "You're terrible!" Read More...

Roberto Luongo's Game 2 was looking pretty similar to his outing Saturday in the series opener. He made save after save against the onslaught of the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday night at United Center, but this time it wouldn't be enough. Read More...

I decided not to write a running playoff diary for Game 1 of the ‘Hawks Western Conference Semifinals series against the Vancouver Canucks because, for once, I wanted to just sit back and enjoy the game. Read More...

Rockford, Ill.- With the 2009-10 season in the books for the Rockford IceHogs, the team’s Communications Department has sifted through the statistics and have counted 111 new records set or matched by this year’s club. Read More...

The puck barely squirted through the legs of Roberto Luongo and the sound of the Fratellis' "Chelsea Dagger" filled the cavernous United Center. Read More...

They had a night to think about it, and then the Chicago Blackhawks showed up to the United Center on Saturday morning still feeling pretty lousy. Read More...

The gamesmanship of playoff hockey is in full swing at the United Center, and once again the focus is directed squarely on the massive shoulders of 6-foot-4, 257-pound Dustin Byfuglien. Read More...

Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo has looked relaxed and comfortable in his crease during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Blackhawks forward Adam Burish gave a pretty honest answer Monday morning when asked what his team could do to throw Luongo off his game. Read More...