Morning Bag Skate: Blackhawks limp into NHL All-Star break

The Chicago Blackhawks dropped their second straight game after holding a lead after two periods in a 5-3 loss Thursday at United Center. The Hawks enter the NHL All-Star break on a two-game skid.

HAWKS

**RECAP: Hawks collapse in 3rd period again, fall to Jets (SCH)

**Mikita won’t attend NHL’s Top 100 ceremony due to dementia (SCH)

**More consistent Panik producing for Hawks (CSN)

**Schmaltz a ‘different Schmaltzy’ in second stint with Hawks (Chicago Tribune)

**Desjardins, Tootoo could be forced out of lineup soon (Sun Times)

**Shalunov wants NHL playing time if he signs with Hawks (SCH)

CENTRAL DIVISION

**RECAP: Smith sparks Predators to win over Blue Jackets (On The Forecheck)

**Video: NHL ref delays announcing penalty to yell ‘F*** you!’ (SBN)

**RECAP: Wild handle Blues, enter break leading West (Hockey Wilderness)

**Blues place Brodziak on IR, recall top prospect Barbashev (PHT)

**RECAP: Lehtonen helps Stars hang on for win over Sabres (Defending Big D)

**Avs’ Varlamov undergoes season-ending surgery (Mile High Hockey)

**Shutting Varlamov down is right move for Avs’ future (SBN)

NHL

**NHL’s pop-filled All-Star Game music choices are good (SCH)

**Canadiens acquire Nesterov from Lightning (Habs Eyes On The Prize)

**Blue Jackets’ Atkinson will replace injured Malkin at All-Star Game (Jackets Cannon)

**RECAP: Bruins score 3 in 2nd, hold off Penguins (Stanley Cup of Chowder)

**RECAP: Kuznetsov, Ovechkin power Capitals past Devils (Japers’ Rink)

**RECAP: Ladd lifts Islanders past Canadiens (Lighthouse Hockey)

**RECAP: Simmonds helps Flyers defeat Maple Leafs (Broad Street Hockey)

**RECAP: Budaj, Kings shut out Hurricanes (NHL.com)

**RECAP: Gaudreau’s OT goal lifts Flames past Sens (Matchsticks and Gasoline)

**RECAP: Panthers beat Lightning in OT, snap 4-game skid (NHL.com)

**RECAP: Smith, Coyotes shut out Canucks (Five For Howling)

HOCKEY WORLD

**105-game losing streak weighs down Russian hockey team (AP)