Morning Bag Skate: Blackhawks to open 2017 playoffs against Predators on Thursday

The Chicago Blackhawks will open up the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs against the Nashville Predators on Thursday at United Center in Chicago.

HAWKS

**Hawks-Predators first-round schedule (SCH)

**Panarin earns max bonuses, costing Hawks millions in cap space (SCH)

**Anisimov ‘good to go’ for Game 1 of playoffs (SCH)

**Hawks finish their 2nd 50-win season in 90 years (SCH)

**Watch: Bickell ends NHL career with shootout goal (SCH)

**The best moments of Bickell’s Hawks career (SCH)

**Rockford Report: IceHogs nab upset over first-place Milwaukee (SCH)

**Prospect Radovan Bondra signs ATO with Rockford (SCH)

CENTRAL DIVISION

**Stars coach Ruff will not return (Defending Big D)

**Blues-Wild first-round schedule (Hockey Wilderness)

**RECAP: Sobotka scores, Blues defeat Avalanche (St. Louis GameTime)

**A deeper look into Vince Dunn’s rookie season with Blues (St. Louis GameTime)

NHL

**McDavid wins Art Ross, Crosby wins Rocket Richard Trophy (PHT)

**RECAP: Red Wings defeat Devils in Joe Louis finale (Winging It In Motown)

**Joe Louis Arena Tribute: Saying goodbye to Red Wings’ old barn (Yahoo)

**RECAP: Hellberg of Rangers gets first NHL win against Penguins (NHL.com)

**RECAP: Leafs fail to reach third in Atlantic Division (Pension Plan Puppets)

**RECAP: Islanders edge Senators for sixth straight win (Lighthouse Hockey)

**RECAP: Lightning end season with third straight win (Raw Charge)

**RECAP: Bickell scores in shootout, Hurricanes win (Canes Country)

**RECAP: Capitals shut out in playoff tuneup (Japers’ Rink)

**RECAP: Ducks win fifth straight Pacific Division title (Anaheim Calling)

**RECAP: McDavid gets 100th point, Oilers top Canucks (Copper N Blue)

HOCKEY WORLD

**Watch: Kovalchuk ejected from KHL’s Gagarin Cup game for elbow to face (Yahoo)

**Comtois’ NHL draft stock has fallen, but confidence is high (Sportsnet)

**OHL Playoffs: Owen Sound strike back against Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)