Good news: The ice show trip is half over. Bad news: There are still three tough games remaining on the ice show trip, starting with a tilt against the Wild tonight. It’ll be a big night in the Central Division, as the Blues (vs. Lightning) and Predators (vs. Maple Leafs) will also be in action. For now, here’s the news:
**Norris Trophy candidate Kevin Shattenkirk will undergo abdominal surgery and is out indefinitely. The Hawks won’t have to face him on Sunday. (STL Today)
**Johnny Oduya is thinking about what’s going to happen between now and June, not what’s going to happen in July. (Sun-Times)
**Just in time to face the Blackhawks on Tuesday night, Devan Dubnyk is helping boost the Wild’s playoff chances. Yes, that Devan Dubnyk. (CBS)
**The great Bob McKenzie wrote words about the affliction affecting Stan Mikita. Read them. (TSN)
**Good health news: Gordie Howe is “doing fantastic”in his ongoing recovery from a stroke, according to his son. (NHL)
**The Hawks are perfectly fine with flying under the radar in the Central. (Tribune)
**President Obama was a little salty about hosting the Kings at the White House on Monday. (NHL)
**Gary Bettman wore gym shoes to the White House. Yep. (Puck Daddy)
**The prospective Las Vegas ownership group ran a local Super Bowl commercial to boost interest. (CBS)
**The NHLPA is opposed to 3-on-3 overtime. Boo, NHLPA. (USA Today)
**The other Benn lost a Super Bowl bet, so his beard went buh-bye (Puck Daddy)