Young Red Wings have evened series with Blackhawks

The Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews battles for position in front of the goal with Detroit's Henrik Zetterberg (40) during the second period of Game 2 of Western Conference semifinals Saturday.

Young Red Wings have evened series with Blackhawks

DETROIT | The Detroit Red Wings got much younger this year, rebuilding with rookies and prospects pushed onto the ice.

‘Sandpaperness’ Bolland on duty to raise Hawks’ game

CHICAGO | Almost to a man, the Blackhawks were at a loss for words Friday on how to raise their game above the defensively-stifling level of Game 1 against the Detroit Red Wings.

Hawks’ Oduya, Kruger clip Wings in 3rd

CHICAGO | Nine o’clock lightning finally sparked the United Center late Wednesday to brighten up a scrum of an opener of the Western Conference semifinals.

Emotion vies with skill as Chicago Blackhawks duel archrival Detroit Red Wings in Stanley Cup Playoffs

CHICAGO | It hasn’t been as much a rivalry as a drum pounding.

Blackhawks try to stay sharp during playoff break

CHICAGO | Practice was long over when Joel Quenneville was stopped by two young boys waiting to get on the ice. They asked if he would sign their sticks, and the former NHL defenseman happily obliged.

Hawks take no comfort in series lead over Wild

CHICAGO | As they rubbed sleep out of their eyes Wednesday, 11 hours after their 2 a.m. arrival from the Twin Cities, the Blackhawks acknowledged the necessity of a much better performance against the Minnesota Wild.

Sharp gets 2 goals as Hawks top Wild

ST. PAUL, Minn. | The Blackhawks were beaten the last game in the corners, along the boards and by an overtime goal for the Minnesota Wild.

Zucker's goal gives Wild 3-2 win over Blackhawks

ST. PAUL, Minn. | Beating the Blackhawks usually requires a certain kind of performance: bruising, aggressive and unflappable.

Zucker's goal gives Wild 3-2 win over Blackhawks

The Blackhawks' Michael Frolik shoots against Minnesota Wild's Mikko Koivu in the second period of Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series Sunday.

Young gay athletes set tone for NBA coming out

CHICAGO | You've probably never heard of Holly Peterson or Jonathan Jean-Pierre. One came out as a lesbian at age 15, when she was playing high school basketball. The other, a college rower, told his teammates last year that he's gay.

Down 2-0 to Hawks, underdog Wild hope to rally

ST. PAUL, Minn. | NHL hockey was absent from Minnesota for seven years, and the upstart Wild stumbled through two rough seasons in their debut.

Deuces Wild for Frolik, Sharp as Hawks go up 2-0

CHICAGO | Minnesota Wild backup goalie Josh Harding, gamely playing with multiple sclerosis, had to share the spotlight with the Blackhawks’ Michael Frolik and Patrick Sharp by the end of Friday night's game.

Hawks LW Saad, Minnesota's Coyle, Brodin among key rookies in NHL playoffs

CHICAGO | A year ago, Brandon Saad was just a footnote when he made his postseason debut for Chicago against the Phoenix Coyotes. He skated for just over 10 minutes in two games and picked up his first career NHL point on an assist, but the Blackhawks were eliminated in the first round.

Rookies important contributors in NHL playoffs

Minnesota goalie Josh Harding defends the net against Blackhawks left wing Brandon Saad in the third period of Game 1 of a Stanley Cup playoff series Tuesday in Chicago. The Blackhawks defeated the Wild 2-1.

Hawks say they can handle increased physical play as Wild series opens

CHICAGO | Almost unstoppable with their speed and skills all season, the Blackhawks have a small Achilles heel at which playoff opponents might try to target.

OFFBEAT: Lassie's Timmy and Blackhawk Denis Savard here this week

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

PAUL NEWBERRY: Time for sports to help us heal again

In so many ways, sports can bring out the worst in us.

Red Sox, Bruins postpone games during manhunt

BOSTON | The Red Sox and Bruins postponed their games Friday while authorities searched for a suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings and officials warned nearly 1 million people to stay indoors.