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)