The Chicago Blackhawks play their first game of a back-to-back Saturday in Minnesota.
In Hawks prospect action, the Rockford IceHogs fell 3-1 to the Milwaukee Admirals on Friday. Tyler Sikura scored Rockford’s lone goal.
Sophomore Chad Krys scored two goals less than two minutes apart to lead No. 12 Boston University to a 2-1 win over No. 6 Providence. The Hawks drafted him in the second round in 2016.
HAWKS
**Forsling out vs. Wild, could play vs. Canadiens on Sunday (SCH)
**Hawks prospect Mitchell getting shot on Denver’s power play as a freshman (SCH)
**Crawford, 3 other goaltenders carrying their teams right now (SBN)
**Franson adds some muscle to Blackhawks power play (Chicago Tribune)
**Performance bonuses not as much of a concern for Hawks this season (The Athletic)
**Blackhawks defensemen need to go on the offensive (Chicago Sun Times)
CENTRAL DIVISION
**RECAP: Josi, Rinne propel Predators past Ducks (Anaheim Calling)
**Predators’ penalty problems affecting rhythm at even strength (The Tennessean)
**Dumba shows mental strength by rebounding from loss with strong game (Star Tribune)
**Wild looking forward to rematch against ‘No. 1 rival’ Chicago (Star Tribune)
**Avs, Senators discussed 3-way trade involving Duchene and Turris, per report (SBN)
**How long can Avs expect Varlamov to save them? (The Denver Post)
**Varlamov puts his name in Avalanche record books (Mile High Hockey)
**Yeo has relied on defensive nucleus thus far (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
**Blues’ Allen enjoying timely reunion with boyhood mentor (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
NHL
**Lost in translation: How players bridge hockey’s language barrier (ESPN)
**RECAP: McDavid, Oilers end Devils winning streak at 3 games (All About The Jersey)
**Habs goaltender Price out with lower body injury (Habs Eyes On The Prize)
**Canadiens goaltender recall Charlie Lindgren from Laval (Habs Eyes On The Prize)
**Capitals top prospect Ilya Samsonov suffers concussion during KHL game (PHT)
**Former NHL ref Kerry Fraser diagnosed with incurable form of cancer (PHT)
HOCKEY WORLD
**Doan says he considered suiting up for Canada in Olympics (Sportsnet)
**CHL Power Rankings: Nine players who could climb NHL Draft rankings (Sportsnet)
**QMJHL Roundup: Theede scores twice as Titans beat Screaming Eagles (Sportsnet)
**WHL Roundup: Taphorn, McGovern lead Ice in win over Wheat Kings (Sportsnet)
**RECAP: Western Michigan upsets No. 1 Denver (MLive)
**RECAP: No. 2 St. Cloud State outlast wounded No. 8 Minnesota Duluth (SBNCH)
**RECAP: Yale upsets No. 3 Havard (USCHO.com)
**RECAP: Thome leads No. 4 North Dakota past No. 7 Wisconsin (Grand Forks Herald)
**RECAP: Hawks prospect Krys lead No. 12 BU over No. 6 Providence (USCHO.com)
**RECAP: No. 5 Minnesota tops Michigan State for 3rd straight win (SBNCH)
**RECAP: Army outlasts depleted No. 19 Air Force in series opener (The Gazette)