Red Wings top Blackhawks 2-0, take 3-1 series lead

LARRY LAGE AP Hockey Writer

DETROIT | Jakub Kindl scored on a power play in the second period, Daniel Cleary had an empty-net goal and Jimmy Howard made 27 saves to help the Detroit Red Wings hold on for a 2-0 victory over the Blackhawks on Thursday night, putting the N…

Red Wings top Blackhawks take series lead

LARRY LAGE AP Hockey Writer

DETROIT | The young Detroit Red Wings have made the mighty Blackhawks look vulnerable, beating them two straight times to gain an advantage in their last playoff matchup as Western Conference rivals.

Young Red Wings have evened series with Blackhawks

Larry Lage AP Hockey Writer

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

Red Wings dominate Hawks in Game 2

George Castle Times Correspondent

CHICAGO | Execute the game plan or start digging your own grave.

‘Sandpaperness’ Bolland on duty to raise Hawks’ game

George Castle Times Correspondent

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

BY GEORGE CASTLE Times Correspondent

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

George Castle Times Correspondent

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

Blackhawks try to stay sharp during playoff break

Jay Cohen AP Sports Writer

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.

Hossa lowers boom on Wild

George Castle Times Correspondent

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

Hawks take no comfort in series lead over Wild

GEORGE CASTLE Times Correspondent

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

Dave Campbell AP Sports Writer

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

DAVE CAMPBELL AP Sports Writer

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

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

Dave Campbell AP Sports Writer

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

George Castle Times Correspondent

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.

Toews the leader for the Blackhawks

Tim Cronin Times Correspondent

When the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010, the result was as much about chemistry off the ice as it was cohesion on the ice.

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

Jay Cohen AP Sports Writer

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 B…

Hawks finally beat Harding, Wild after war of attrition

George Castle Times Correspondent

CHICAGO | Playoff surprise No. 1 for the Blackhawks: backup Minnesota Wild goalie Josh Harding suddenly playing Tuesday night to trade save for save with counterpart Corey Crawford for almost four periods.

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

BY GEORGE CASTLE Times Correspondent

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.

Hawks douse Flames in playoffs dress rehearsal

George Castle Times Correspondent

CHICAGO | Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville had three pressing tasks in his NHL-leading team’s final two-regular season games this weekend.

Hawks switch on power play, sweep Predators

George Castle Times Correspondent

CHICAGO | Tuning up for the postseason means turning on the power play’s switch for the Blackhawks.

Blackhawks' Emery out with lower body injury

Associated Press

CHICAGO | Blackhawks goalie Ray Emery has a lower body injury and will not play against Nashville on Friday.

Blackhawks end Elliott streak, beat Blues

R.B. FALLSTROM AP Sports Writer

ST. LOUIS | Corey Crawford came away with the shutout in this one, not Brian Elliott.

Blackhawks beat Red Wings in overtime

George Castle Times Correspondent

CHICAGO | After a three-game absence, Corey Crawford took his turn Friday night as grist in the Blackhawks’ only burning issue left: which goalie starts in the playoffs.

Blackhawk star rookie makes appearance at The Charleyhorse

John Burbridge john.burbridge@nwi.com, (219) 933-3371

MUNSTER | This was a case where mother knows best.

Hawks clinch playoff berth

George Castle Times Correspondent

CHICAGO | The Blackhawks officially clinched a playoff spot Sunday night on, appropriately, captain Jonathan Toews’ third-period goal in a 5-3 victory over the Nashville Predators.

Crawford learns from his past

Tim Cronin Times Correspondent

CHICAGO | There was a time when goaltender Corey Crawford tried to be one of the boys in the Blackhawks locker room.

Blackhawks blank Predators

Teresa M. Walker AP Sports Writer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | The Blackhawks have plenty of offense.

Saad has 3 points to lead Blackhawks over Wings

DETROIT | In less than two minutes, the Blackhawks did all the damage they needed to do. And then they just kept scoring.

Ducks get late goal to beat Hawks

Matt Carlson Associated Press

CHICAGO | Sheldon Souray scored with 2:08 left in regulation to break a tie, Jonas Hiller made 25 saves and the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Blackhawks 2-1 on Friday to end a four-game losing streak.

Confidence, good spirits by-products of Hawks’ hot start

George Castle Times Correspondent

CHICAGO | Increased confidence, team camaraderie and the pure joy of winning have sprouted out of the Blackhawks’ record-breaking 24-3-3 start.

Changes in rules, strategy help to clean up NHL

WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer

PITTSBURGH | The fear is gone. The doubt too for that matter. Ditto the hesitation.

Entrepreneurial Dyer teen has a popular Blackhawks Facebook page

Paul Trembacki Times Correspondent

DYER | The local teenager who single-handedly maintains a Blackhawks fan page with more subscribers than most printed newspapers has been to exactly one of his favorite team’s games.

Kane's shootout goal lifts Hawks

Rusty Miller AP Sports Writer

COLUMBUS, Ohio | The crowd was roaring on every play, each side kept piling up scoring chances and goaltenders Corey Crawford and Sergei Bobrovsky were trading breath-taking stops.

Oduya’s big ‘D’ creates positive domino effect on Hawks

George Castle Times Correspondent

CHICAGO | They don’t use “domino effect” much in hockey with its unique sport-specific terminology often originated north of the border.

Blackhawks not mourning end of record point streak

Arnie Stapleton AP Sports Writer

DENVER | The Blackhawks aren't about to mourn the end of their record points streak.

Blackhawks' streak ends with loss to Avs

Arnie Stapleton AP Sports Writer

DENVER | The best start in NHL history is over. The Blackhawks finally left the ice without a point — but with their heads held high.

Another win, another hero for Blackhawks

MATT CARLSON Associated Press

CHICAGO | Daniel Carcillo scored the tiebreaking goal with 49.3 seconds left in regulation and the Chicago Blackhawks won their 11th consecutive game, beating the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 on Wednesday night to extend the best start in NHL history.

Blackhawks set franchise mark with 10th consecutive victory

Jay Cohen AP Sports Writer

CHICAGO | With each point, the pressure grows. The wins are piling up, increasing the expectations. And the Blackhawks just keep going and going.

Kane proves slow-mo’s a go for another Hawks victory

GEORGE CASTLE Times Correspondent

CHICAGO | Speed traditionally kills in the NHL.

Blackhawks thankful for having 2 good goalies

LARRY LAGE AP Hockey Writer

The Blackhawks started the season with questions about their goaltending situation.

Boldirev was a pre-TV Blackhawks star

John Burbridge john.burbridge@nwi.com, (219) 933-3371

GRIFFITH | Meet Ivan Boldirev.

Blackhawks top Red Wings in SO, extend streak

Larry Lage AP Hockey Writer

DETROIT | Patrick Kane had a couple shots that simply could not be stopped.

Hawks earn point in 21st consecutive game

The Associated Press

CHICAGO | Brent Seabrook scored on a 2-on-1 break at 3:23 of overtime and the Blackhawks extended their NHL-record, season-opening point streak to 21 games with a 4-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night.

Game-winning offensive skills rub off from Shaw’s ‘sandpaper’

George Castle Times Correspondent

CHICAGO | Andrew Shaw doesn’t quite possess a choirboy-innocent face.

Blackhawks extend streak to 19 games

Jay Cohen AP Sports Writer

CHICAGO | Marian Hossa scored 1:44 into overtime and the Blackhawks beat the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 on Monday night to stretch their NHL-record opening points streak to 19 games.

Crawford, Shaw stretch Blackhawks' streak to 18

Matt Carlson Associated Press

CHICAGO | Corey Crawford made 28 saves, and Andrew Shaw scored the only goal as the Blackhawks stretched their NHL-record, season-opening point streak to 18 games with a 1-0 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday night.