The Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane will reportedly decide this weekend whether he’ll play for the United States or the upcoming 2017 World Championships starting May 5.
In Hawks prospect news, Alex DeBrincat had a goal and two assists for the Erie Otters in a 6-1 win over Owen Sound in Game 1 of the Ontario Hockey League’s Western Conference Final.
Matthew Highmore and Nathan Noel each had an assist in Saint John’s 4-1 win over Chicoutimi in Game 1 of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s semifinals.
HAWKS
**Kane to join Team USA for Worlds, per report (SCH)
**Hawks players reviews in one paragraph (SCH)
**Hawks suffer 1st sweep by a No. 1 seed to a No. 8 seed in NHL or NBA history (SCH)
**Preds beat Hawks with more speed than they could handle (SCH)
**New reality beckons for Hawks after merciless sweep by Preds (Chicago Sun Times)
**Another first-round exit ‘nullifies’ Hawks’ regular-season success (The Athletic)
**Norm Maciver could leave Hawks for Sabres GM job, per report (SCH)
CENTRAL DIVISION
**Upshall takes over ‘pest’ role against Wild (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
**Blues, Wild are resigned to low-scoring series (Star Tribune)
**Stars season grades: Patrik Nemeth (Defending Big D)
**Stars season grades: Jamie Oleksiak (Defending Big D)
**Jets Season Review: Shawn Matthias (Arctic Ice Hockey)
NHL
**Stanley Cup playoff schedule, matchups (SBN)
**2017 Norris finalists: Burns, Hedman, Karlsson (SBN)
**RECAP: Capitals defeat Maple Leafs in OT of Game 5, lead series (Japers’ Rink)
**RECAP: Bruins extend series with Game 5 2OT win against Senators (Silver Seven)
**Hurricanes re-sign Dahlbeck for 1-year, $850K (Canes Country)
**Hurricanes sign 2015 pick Lorentz to ELC (Canes Country)
**Rangers sign KHL d-man Bereglazov (Blueshirt Banter)
**Canucks sign ‘very skilled’ Dahlen to ELC (PHT)
HOCKEY WORLD
**St. Cloud State’s Motzko to coach U.S. at 2018 World Juniors (PHT)
**Flames’ Gaudreau joins Team USA for Worlds (PHT)
**Wisconsin extends Granato through 2021-22 Season (SBNCH)
**Veteran forward Setoguchi signs in Germany’s Adler Mannheim (PHT)
**OHL Playoffs: Erie routs Owen Sound to take Game 1 of WCF (Sportsnet)
**QMJHL Playoffs: Islanders beat Armada to take Game 1 (Sportsnet)
**WHL Playoffs: Thunderbirds beat Rockets 5-4 to take Game 1 (Sportsnet)