Former Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Michal Kempny and the Washington Capitals shut out the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-0 on Wednesday night to win Game 7 and earn a spot in the Stanley Cup Final.
The Capitals will play the expansion Golden Knights for the NHL’s biggest prize starting Monday at T-Mobile Arena in Vegas.
The Rockford IceHogs, the Chicago Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate, are on the brink of elimination down 0-3 and will host Game 4 against the Texas Stars in the AHL’s Western Conference Final on Thursday at BMO Harris Bank Center.
BLACKHAWKS
**How will IceHogs react to 3-0 series deficit? (Rockford Register Star)
**Raddysh finally gets his NHL deal (The Athletic)
**A final, official farewell to Hawks legend Marian Hossa (SCH)
**IceHogs vs. Stars schedule (SCH)
CENTRAL DIVISION
**Avs’ Francouz named KHL Goalie of the Year (Mile High Hockey)
NHL
**Stanley Cup Final schedule (SBN)
**Capitals end D.C.’s 20-year final drought in Major 4 sports (SBN)
**Capitals fans unleash the joy: ‘I want to high-five everyone in here right now’ (The Washington Post)
**Schmidt providing to be worth gamble for Vegas (Knights On Ice)
**Tragedy to triumph: How a team like the Knights can help save a city (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
**Golden Knights favored over Capitals in Stanley Cup Final (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
**Golden Knights’ style brings success home or away (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
**NHL to meet next month to discuss possible Seattle expansion (Sonics Rising)
**Rangers hire BU’s Quinn as next head coach (Blueshirt Banter)
**Evander Kane, Sharks close to 7-year deal (Fear The Fin)
HOCKEY WORLD
**Henry scores hat trick as Pats eliminate Broncos from Memorial Cup (Sportsnet)