The Chicago Blackhawks host the Minnesota Wild in its first Central Division matchup of the season Thursday at the United Center.
Chicago (3-0-1) is coming off a 3-1 win Tuesday at Montreal, while Minnesota (0-1-1) haven’t played since last Saturday — a 5-4 shootout loss at Carolina.
HAWKS
**Schmaltz’s importance highlighted by his absence (Chicago Sun Times)
**Watch: DeBrincat scores his 1st NHL goal (SCH)
**Hawks struggling to adapt to crackdown on faceoffs, slashes (Chicago Sun Times)
**Hedge Report: Farewell, it’s been a wild, fun ride covering Hawks (The Athletic)
CENTRAL DIVISION
**RECAP: Kerfoot gets first NHL goal, Avs win home opener (NHL.com)
**Yakupov glad to be in Colorado with Avalanche (Denver Post)
**Radulov impact already felt in Dallas as Stars poised to break out (The Athletic)
**Top 50 Blues players of all time (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
NHL
**New Rockets owner would consider NHL team if money was right (Houston Chronicle)
**RECAP: Devils top Maple Leafs to remain undefeated (All About The Jersey)
**RECAP: Penguins score 3 power-play goals to edge Capitals (Pensburgh)
**RECAP: Ducks hang on to defeat Islanders (Anaheim Calling)
**RECAP: Monahan’s OT goal puts Flames over Kings (Matchsticks and Gasoline)
**Karlsson to stay in Ottawa, may return to Sens lineup next week (Ottawa Citizen)
HOCKEY WORLD
**Team USA hockey women train, bond during long Olympic centralization (The Athletic)
**Colton emerging as leader for Vermont (SBNCH)
**OHL Roundup: Mac Hollowell leads Greyhounds to win over Spirit (Sportsnet)
**WHL Roundup: Coghlan scores in OT, Americans hand Royals first loss (Sportsnet)