Disaster was lurking all night for the Blackhawks. It was behind the net, around every corner and, much too often, right out in the open, cackling at them. The NHL’s defending champions were in serious danger of not making a return trip to the Stanley Cup Final, a failure by any measure. Too harsh a judgment? No. Much is expected of those who have been given much. That’s how it is with these guys....
If they do it now, if the Blackhawks somehow come all the way back and return to the Stanley Cup Final and whatever comes after that, this will be the one people remember. This game, this moment, this jaw-dropping, head-spinning display of speed, of skill, of character, of hockey at its finest. Oh, they’ll remember the perfect start and then the disastrous middle. They’ll remember Ben Smith tying...
The 2014 Stanley Cup Final will start next Wednesday, with or without the Blackhawks....
Alex Galchenyuk vs. Chris Kreider Alex Galchenyuk vs. Chris Kreider....
But they have trouble winnings series in fewer than 7 games and Canadiens are on heels, down 3-2 heading into Game 6 NEW YORK — If the Rangers looked a little discombobulated Tuesday night in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals, there was a reason. It wasn't that the Canadiens torched them for seven goals. That was the product of the problem....
Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford is under investigation for allegedly spraying a Kings fan with a water bottle in the final minutes of the Hawks' 5-2 loss Monday night in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals....
With backs against wall, defending champs play with pride to stave off elimination No way the Blackhawks wanted to end the season like this, humbled at home and dethroned by the would-be Kings in front of friends and relatives....
The Blackhawks tried to choke away Game 5 of their Western Conference finals against the Kings....
Michal Handzus scores winner early in 2nd OT to keep club alive and tighten best-of-7 series to 3-2 with Game 6 Friday in L.A. The Hawks' offensive explosion bailed out goaltender Corey Crawford, who struggled at times but ended up the victor over counterpart Jonathan Quick. Patrick Kane was dangerous with the puck all game and finished with four assists while Andrew Shaw added two....
Brandon Saad's prediction holds up as he and Patrick Kane have huge hand in offensive production that does in Kings Brandon Saad predicted Wednesday morning that the experimental Game 5 second line composed of him, Andrew Shaw and Patrick Kane would serve as a "big threat" against the Kings later that night....
There was an eerie calm in the Blackhawks’ dressing room after the 5-2 flameout Monday night against the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Patrick Kane stood at their lockers and spoke in measured tones, using mild platitudes and showing a quiet confidence. They shrugged and talked about winning one game and going from there. They nodded and said that, yes, the fact that they’ve...
In one 15-second span Monday in Game 4 against the Los Angeles Kings, Nick Leddy lost possession of the puck in his end, fell to the ice and drew an offside call on the Hawks with a mistimed entry into the offensive zone. It was that kind of night for the Hawks’ defensemen. Leddy’s adventure was not costly. But it seemed like the Hawks paid a dear price for almost every other mistake in a 5-2 loss...
RICK TELANDER: Nasty, nasty. Ugly, ugly. Losing a key playoff game 5-2 is one thing. Going down three goals to none before you can say, ‘‘Help, Bobby Hull!’’ is another. ...
LOS ANGELES — The power play was bad, but the penalty kill was worse. Special teams continue to epitomize the Blackhawks’ plight against the Los Angeles Kings in the Western Conference final — the harder they try, the worse they get. Despite emphasizing the power play and penalty kill after losing Game 3, the Hawks’ special teams were a disaster in a 5-2 loss in Game 4 on Monday night at Staples Center...
LOS ANGELES — Joel Quenneville went for his nuclear option. He got a nuclear meltdown. A disastrous first period pushed the Blackhawks to the brink of elimination on Monday night, as the Los Angeles Kings ran them out of Staples Center with a 5-2 victory in Game 4 of the Western Conference final. The Hawks now trail 3-1 in the series, and must win three straight to get back to the Stanley Cup Final,...
LOS ANGELES — The familiar derisive chant of “Craw-ford, Craw-ford” continues to ring loudly in opposing arenas. But coach Joel Quenneville isn’t joining them. Like any goalie in the playoffs, Corey Crawford is a magnet for criticism whenever his team struggles defensively. But even after Crawford allowed nine goals in Games 2 and 3 of the Western Conference final against the Kings, Quenne-ville professed...
Good morning from Staples Center, where the Kings held their game-day skate before Game 4 of the Western Conference finals, to be played Monday night. It was a full-team skate, as opposed to the usual optional session, and the defense pairs and line rushes appeared to be the same as the last game, in which the Kings defeated the Chicago Blackhawks, 4-3, to take a 2-1 series lead....
Changes may well be coming to the Chicago Blackhawks' lineup for Game 4 of the Western Conference Final. Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville is not shy about shaking things up after a loss. Well, Chicago has lost twice in a row now and has been b......
Last season the Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings met in the Western Conference Final, but injuries for the Kings meant it was hardly a fair fight. Two seasons ago, the Blackhawks and Kings could have met in the Western Conference Final,......
The Chicago Blackhawks have to be better in Game 4 of the Western Conference Final. Forward Patrick Kane knows the Blackhawks have little chance of being good enough if he doesn't lead the charge. Kane has been strangely silent in the best-of-7......