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

By George Castle Times Correspondent

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

BLACKHAWKS GAME 6 NOTEBOOK: Teammates welcome Shaw back from suspension

By George Castle Times Correspondent

CHICAGO | Blackhawks rookie Andrew Shaw's energy has been missed since he turned the voltage up a bit too high in his collision with Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith in Game 2, resulting in Shaw's three-game suspension.

Hawks even go OT in their travels home Sunday

BY GEORGE CASTLE Times Correspondent

CHICAGO | The Blackhawks punched in for overtime in all five of their Western Conference quarterfinals games — but couldn't start to collect comp time on their travel day/off day Sunday.

Blackhawks win in overtime to extend playoff series

By John Marshall AP Sports Writer

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.

Another shock in overtime

By George Castle For The Times

CHICAGO | Shock, by all measurements, for the Blackhawks. More of a shove than a shot, for the Phoenix Coyotes' Mikkel Boedker, who for the second straight game broke the Hawks' hearts in overtime by scoring the game-winner.

Hawks relieved at Torres' banishment, happy Hossa is recovering

By George Castle Times Correspondent

CHICAGO | The Blackhawks' noontime mood Wednesday was more upbeat than 12 hours previously.

Coyotes' Raffi Torres suspended indefinitely for hit on Hossa

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO | Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres was suspended indefinitely Wednesday for a hit that knocked Chicago's Marian Hossa out of Game 3 in the teams' opening-round playoff series.

Hawks livid about Torres' knockout of Hossa in OT loss

By George Castle Times Correspondent

CHICAGO | Showing through their utter exhaustion, anger at repeat-offender Raffi Torres' knockout of star Marian Hossa was the Blackhawks' prevailing emotion late Tuesday night after their 3-2 overtime loss to the Phoenix Coyotes.

Hawks' Shaw suspended for 3 games by Shanahan

By George Castle Times Correspondent

CHICAGO | Andrew Shaw's Blackhawks teammates think he had been punished enough with five-minute major and game misconduct penalties for ramming his shoulder into Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith's head in Game 2.

Hawks can't afford any more last-second heroics for Game 3

BY GEORGE CASTLE Times Correspondent

CHICAGO | Like the clock ticking down to zero with a bomb going off, the concept is dramatic -- but not recommended.

Late-scoring Blackhawks head home with series tied

By Rick Gano AP Sports Writer

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

By John Marshall AP Sports Writer

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.

Toews' return can counter stingy goalie, Coyotes

By George Castle Times Correspondent

CHICAGO | The Blackhawks might have hoped they'd avoid the Nashville Predators in the first round of the playoffs and instead face the Phoenix Coyotes or a similar Western Conference perceived lesser.

Blackhawks may get Toews back for playoffs

By Rick Gano AP Sports Writer

CHICAGO | Jonathan Toews skated swiftly up the ice as the center on a star-filled line with Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa. And when it was time to work on the power play, Toews' familiar No. 19 was camped in front of the net.

Hawks top Wings in shootout

By The Associated Press

DETROIT | The Blackhawks got the win, but not the kind they wanted.

Wild beat Blackhawks 5-4 in shootout

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO | Devin Setoguchi and Erik Christensen scored in a shootout to help the Minnesota Wild beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-4 on Sunday night for their third straight victory.

Devils beat Hawks in shootout

By Tom Canavan AP Sports Writer

NEWARK, N.J. | Martin Brodeur stole a game from the Blackhawks with a little unexpected help Adam Henrique and a surprise participant for the New Jersey Devils in the shootout — Travis Zajac.

Shaw scores twice as Hawks top Capitals

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO | Rookie Andrew Shaw recorded his first two-goal game, and the Blackhawks defeated the Washington Capitals 5-2 on Sunday night for their third straight win.

Bolland, Sharp lift Blackhawks over Stars

By The Associated Press

DALLAS | Sluggish starts have been a recent problem for the Blackhawks, and coach Joel Quenneville wanted it fixed as soon as possible.

Blackhawks rally, beat Blues in shootout

By Rick Gano AP Sports Writer

CHICAGO | Corey Crawford was on the bench for a sixth straight game when the Blackhawks took the ice Tuesday night. In the end, he was in front of the net, raising his hands in triumph after helping Chicago beat the NHL-leading St. Louis Blues.

Richards lifts Kings past Blackhawks in shootout

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO | Mike Richards scored the lone goal in a six-round shutout to give the Los Angeles Kings a 3-2 victory over the Blackhawks on Sunday night.

Blackhawks rally to beat Rangers

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO | Johnny Oduya and the Blackhawks took full advantage of a handful of late chances — and New York mistakes.

Bridges' continues to bring Blackhawk players closer to fans

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

GRIFFITH | If the Chicago Blackhawks ever held an alumni party, Bridges' Scoreboard may be an ideal place to make the reservations.

Blues whip Blackhawks

By R.B. Fallstrom AP Sports Writer

ST. LOUIS | The penalty kill unit has been the quiet standout in the St. Louis Blues' rise this season.

Kane scores winner as Blackhawks beat Wings

By The Associated Press

DETROIT | The Blackhawks are on one of their good streaks.

Hossa helps Hawks top Senators

By The Associated Press

OTTAWA | The Ottawa Senators were done in by a couple of former teammates.

Blackhawks send Scott to Rangers, pick up Oduya

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO | The Blackhawks shuffled their defense Monday, picking up veteran Johnny Oduya from the Winnipeg Jets and sending John Scott to the New York Rangers.

Defense or bust: Hawks try to rev up for playoff push

By George Castle Times Correspondent

CHICAGO | Properly chastened by their recent nine-game losing streak, the Blackhawks know they can't afford another slip on their defensive end in securing a playoff spot.

Crawford helps Hawks top Red Wings

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO | Corey Crawford and the Blackhawks did just fine without captain Jonathan Toews on Tuesday night.

Blackhawks return home, reward fans with win

By Rick Gano AP Sports Writer

CHICAGO | Dave Bolland got an unlikely assist and the Blackhawks won in their return to the United Center after a long road trip.

Hawks head home after win over Blue Jackets

By Rusty Miller AP Sports Writer

COLUMBUS, Ohio | After a long, mostly dismal time on the road, the Blackhawks are heading home with smiles on their faces.

Coyotes hands Hawks 8th consecutive loss

By The Associated Press

GLENDALE, Ariz. | Not a bad time for Mike Smith to play his best hockey.

Sharks hand Hawks 7th consecutive loss

By Josh Dubow AP Sports Writer

SAN JOSE, Calif. | Benn Ferriero and Jamie McGinn gave the San Jose Sharks just the spark they needed before heading out on a lengthy trip.

Oh-for-Canada: Hawks lose third straight on Canada trip, 3-1 to Flames

By The Associated Press

CALGARY, Alberta | Jarome Iginla took advantage of the struggling Blackhawks. It's been a common theme for Chicago on this road trip.

Gagner has 4 goals, 4 assists in Oilers' win over Hawks

By The Associated Press

EDMONTON, Alberta | When your name is being mentioned alongside Hall of Famers Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey, you know it's been a special night.

Hawks veterans laud rookie scorers Hayes, Shaw

BY George Castle Times Correspondent

CHICAGO | The Blackhawks' veteran snipers shirk from doling out advice to Jimmy Hayes and Andrew Shaw, two rookies who have proven they have noses for the net in their NHL debuts.

Kostitsyn, Klein, Hornqvist lead Predators past Blackhawks

By The Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | After a rough night of winter travel, the Blackhawks had an equally tough time on the Nashville ice.

Hawks send Sabres to 10th consecutive road loss

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO | It's no surprise that All-Star forward Jonathan Toews led the Blackhawks' attack on Wednesday night.

Toews, Stalberg lift Blackhawks over Sharks 4-3

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO | Jonathan Toews and Viktor Stalberg each had a goal and an assist, and the Chicago Blackhawks beat San Jose 4-3 on Sunday night and ended the Sharks' eight-game point streak.

Stalberg's hat trick lifts Hawks over Jackets

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO | The team with the NHL's worst record brings out the best in Blackhawks forward Viktor Stalberg.

Blackhawks lose Sharp for 3-4 weeks

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO | The Blackhawks say forward Patrick Sharp, among the NHL's top 10 scorers, will be out 3-4 weeks with an undisclosed upper-body injury.

Datsyuk scores Wings' winner in overtime

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO | The Detroit Red Wings stormed back from an early deficit for the second time in two nights. This time, the Red Wings pulled out a hard-fought win instead of taking a hard-luck loss.

James van Riemsdyk leads Flyers over Hawks

By Rob Maaddi AP Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA | Filling in for Jaromir Jagr, James van Riemsdyk played like an All-Star.

Blackhawks edge rival Wings

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO | Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook enjoys playing against the rival Detroit Red Wings.

Blackhawk Bryan Bickell makes appearance at Bridges'

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

GRIFFITH | If some sport trophies were Christmas gifts -- take, for instance, what they hoist on the winner of the BCS National Championship Game -- they would be returned faster than a four-colored sweater.

LA's Quick makes 38 saves in NHL-best 5th shutout

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO | Jonathan Quick made 38 saves to earn his NHL-leading fifth shutout, and Trent Hunter and Jarret Stoll scored to lead the Los Angeles Kings past the Chicago Blackhawks 2-0 on Wednesday night.