Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews

Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews crashes into Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard during the second period of Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals Thursday in Detroit.

Hossa lowers boom on Wild

CHICAGO | The Blackhawks waited four playoff seasons and one severe concussion for Marian Hossa to be the load that opponents could not bear.

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.

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.

NHL returns with most teams on ice for 1st skate

PLYMOUTH, Mich. | On a sheet of ice a few miles from sandy beaches, the Los Angeles Kings finally got to begin their quest to hoist the Stanley Cup again.

NHL returns with most teams on ice for 1st skate

A capacity crowd of Philadelphia Flyers fans fills the rink to capacity at the first practice session at the team's training camp Sunday in Voorhees, NJ. The Flyers, and other NHL teams, returned after a 113-day lockout ended with an settlement on a new collective bargaining agreement.

Kings celebrate Stanley Cup with parade, rally

LOS ANGELES | Dustin Brown stood on a flatbed truck and raised the big silver trophy above his head once again. The air in downtown Los Angeles filled with a blizzard of silver-and-black confetti.

Kings keep it cool with Stanley Cup in sight

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. | Jonathan Quick remembers eating ice pops with his friends and watching their beloved New York Rangers win the Stanley Cup on television in 1994. Dustin Brown vaguely recalls Joe Nieuwendyk bringing the Cup to Ithaca, N.Y., but can't remember if he got to see it up close.

Devils oust Rangers in OT win

NEWARK, N.J. | Adam Henrique scored off a wild scramble in front at 1:03 into overtime and the New Jersey Devils defeated the New York Rangers 3-2 to advance to their first Stanley Cup finals since 2003.

Parity reigning in NHL playoffs

GLENDALE, Ariz. | The Phoenix Coyotes roused a dormant fan base with an energetic season-ending burst that carried into the playoffs.

Hawks changes seem certain after 2nd straight first-round knockout

CHICAGO | Vacation time appears limited this spring and summer for Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman and his hockey operations staff.

Smith again turns away Hawks, and turns off season in Game 6

CHICAGO | The Blackhawks threw the kitchen sink at Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith.

Blackhawks win in overtime to extend playoff series

GLENDALE, Ariz. | The Blackhawks have been oh-so-close throughout their series against the Phoenix Coyotes, lamenting their missed chances while falling into a two-game hole.

Hawks find Smith a real monster in covering his goal

CHICAGO | The fact the Phoenix Coyotes' Mike Smith stands tall in goal, literally and figuratively, is the biggest challenge to would-be Blackhawks goal-seekers in a low-scoring quarterfinals going into Game 4 Thursday.

NHL players head for the penalty box at rapid rate

PHILADELPHIA | Sid the Kid could use a new nickname. How about, "Sugar" Sid Crosby. Or "Bonecrusher" or "Marvelous."

Late-scoring Blackhawks head home with series tied

CHICAGO | For two straight games, the Blackhawks trailed the Phoenix Coyotes in the final stages of regulation and pulled goalie Corey Crawford for a late desperation surge with six attackers.

Coyotes knock off Hawks in OT

GLENDALE, Ariz. | The confidence could have, maybe should have been down after Phoenix gave up a goal in the closing seconds of regulation. Instead, the players looked around the room during intermission, called for someone to become a hero.