Morning Bag Skate: Blackhawks win 5th straight, clinch playoff spot
Our daily look at Blackhawks news and the happenings around the hockey world.
The Chicago Blackhawks scored five goals in the third period, including three in 34 seconds, to rally for a 6-3 win against the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday at United Center.
The Blackhawks (47-20-5) became the first Western Conference team to clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs when Calgary defeated Los Angeles. Chicago leads Minnesota by seven points for first place in the Central Division and conference.
HAWKS
**RECAP: Hawks 3 goals in 34 seconds to rally past Avs (SCH)
**Hawks clinch 9th straight playoff spot (SCH)
**Schmaltz’s face-off quandary: ‘He’s got to get better at it’ (Chicago Sun Times)
CENTRAL DIVISION
**RECAP: Jets hold off Wild, who drop fifth straight (Hockey Wilderness)
**Blues credit Yeo with keeping them fresh (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
NHL
**Every 2017 NHL college free agent signing in one place (SBN)
**RECAP: Flyers rally, defeat Hurricanes in OT (Broad Street Hockey)
**RECAP: Canadiens defeat Senators again (NHL.com)
**RECAP: Gaudreau, Monahan boost Flames over Kings (Matchsticks and Gasoline)
**RECAP: Blue Jackets top Devils to clinch playoff spot (Jackets Cannon)
**RECAP: Crosby scores hat trick as Penguins shut out Panthers (Pensburgh)
**Flames sign goalie OHL prospect Parsons to entry-level deal (OHL)
**Sharks recall prized prospect Meier (Fear The Fin)
HOCKEY WORLD
**Clarkson shuts out Wisconsin for NCAA women’s title (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
**2017 NCAA men’s hockey bracket (SBNCH)
**NCAA men’s hockey tournament: Game times, television schedule (SBNCH)
**WHL Sunday night roundup (WHL)
**OHL Sunday night roundup (OHL)
