Morning Bag Skate: Blackhawks ready for Game 3 vs. Ducks

Chicago Blackhawks look for a 2-1 series lead when they host the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night at United Center.

Nine games down, seven to go for the Hawks.

Here's the latest news:

Hawks

**Heavy minutes for top defensemen is only option for Hawks (SCH)

**Hawks want to feed off Game 2 energy at home (CSN Chicago)

**Mental recovery as important as physical recovery after 3OT thriller (Sun-Times)

**Hawks vs. Ducks Game 2 by the numbers (ESPN Chicago)

**How the Ducks grind down their opponents (SportsNet)

**Antoine Vermette is the Hawks' biggest bust in the playoffs (Grantland)

**David Letterman, Patrick Kane shared a great moment in 2013 (YouTube)

Central Division

**Blues sign Martin Brodeur to 3-year deal as Assistant General Manager (St. Louis Game Time)

**How the Dallas Stars measure up in multiple overtime games (Defending Big D)

**Nashville Predators Prospect Wrap Up: Europe (On The Forecheck)

NHL

**Nikita Kucherov lifts Lightning to OT victory against Rangers in Game 3 (NHL)

**Maple Leafs hire Mike Babcock on 8-year, $50 million deal (Pension Plan Puppets)

**Sabres front office 'livid' about how Babcock handled last two days (Die By The Blade)

**Still options available for Sabres next coach (Die By The Blade)

**End of Babcock Era: A Red Wings Fan's Thoughts (Winging It In Motown)

**Jeff Blashill in prime position for Red Wings coaching vacancy (Winging It In Motown)

**Bruins name Don Sweeney General Manager (Stanley Cup of Chowder)

**Hamburgler Sticks: Andrew Hammond, Sens agree to three-year extension (Silver Seven Sens)

**Report: Sharks to interview Adam Oates for coaching vacancy (Fear The Fin)

**Nick Foligno named Blue Jackets new captain (Jackets Cannon)

**Flyers sign KHL veteran defenseman Yevgeni Medvedev (Broad Street Hockey)

**Canadiens' Jacob de la Rose undergoes wrist surgery, out 3 months (Habs Eyes On The Prize)

**Report: Montreal interested in Blue Jackets' Kerby Rychel? (Jackets Cannon)

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