Morning Bag Skate: Blackhawks prep for divisional showdown against Wild
Our daily look at Blackhawks news and the happenings around the hockey world.
The Blackhawks had the night off for the second Saturday in a row, giving them time to prepare for tonight’s showdown against divisional foe Minnesota. It’s a huge contest for both teams, as they are each locked at 37 points near the bottom of a competitive Central Division.
The streaking Hawks will return to the United Center tonight at 6:00 p.m. CST on NBC Sports Network.
BLACKHAWKS
**Three things to look for in tonight's game (CSN Chicago)
**Report: Michael Kempny linked in trade with Ottawa (Blackhawk Up)
**With no-look passes and more, chemistry counts for the Hawks (Chicago Sun-Times)
**Connor Murphy's versatility helping Hawks get through injuries (Chicago Tribune)
**How are former Chicago Blackhawks faring with their new teams (Daily Herald)
**Chicago legends Savard, Hull, Esposito, and Mikita re-connecting with Hawks (NHL.com)
CENTRAL DIVISION
**RECAP: Preds down Flames 2-0 thanks to another Rinne shutout (On The Forecheck)
**Rinne talking “like a proud dad” about Juuse Saros’ play as backup (The Tennessean)
**RECAP: Blues blank Jets 2-0, now tied for first in Central Division (St. Louis Game Time)
**Injury bug bites Blues center Kyle Brodziak (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
**RECAP: Landeskog nets hat-trick, but Avalanche fall 6-5 to Lightning (Mile High Hockey)
**Avalanche’s “Hero Homecoming” grants three kids a Jedi surprise on Star Wars night (Denver Post)
NHL
**Brouhaha erupts in Ottawa as Senators fans revolt against Melnyk (Puck Daddy)
**It was due to Melynyk, the team's owner, saying he would consider moving the team (SBN)
**Unlike his team’s fans, Erik Karlsson seemed like he was having a fun evening (SBN)
**RECAP: Senators defeat Canadiens 3-0 in NHL Centennial Classic (Silver Seven Sens)
**RECAP: Flyers up win streak to six with 2-1 victory over Stars (Broad Street Hockey)
**RECAP: Oilers eek out 3-2 win over Wild in overtime (Copper and Blue)
**RECAP: Rangers eek out 3-2 win over Bruins in overtime (Blueshirt Banter)
**RECAP: Capitals eek out 3-2 win over Ducks in overtime (Jaspers' Rink)
**Connor McDavid has experienced a laundry list of illnesses this season (SBN)
**NHL Rumors Roundup (The Hockey News)
HOCKEY WORLD
**2017 Women's Hockey Uniform Rankings (The Ice Garden)
**What stood out at Canada-Denmark world juniors pre-tournament (The Athletic)
** WHL Roundup: Warriors snap Wheat Kings’ 10-game win streak (Sportsnet)
**QMJHL Roundup: Mongo scores twice as Voltigeurs beat Tigres (Sportsnet)
