Blackhawks and Kings form mutual admiration society

LOS ANGELES — The Blackhawks Jersey don't like the Blues and they don't particularly enjoy the company of the Canucks, either.

When the Hawks face either of those teams, be it in the regular season or playoffs, the word "hatred" often pops up from players across both dressing rooms. When it comes to the Kings and Hawks — two powerhouses of the Western Conference the last few seasons — a more genteel word is uttered more often than most.

"There's a lot of respect on both sides," Hawks winger Patrick Sharp Jersey said. "Both teams respect what each other have accomplished. Once you've been through the grind a few times, you really appreciate what a team can do to win two championships in recent times."

Added Kings defenseman Alec Martinez, who scored in overtime of Game 7 of the conference finals last year to end the Hawks' season and propel his team to the Stanley Cup: "We've had a lot of playoff series and a lot of really good matchups with them over the course of the years. It's a respect thing."

Postseason familiarity often breeds contempt and the Hawks and Kings certainly are well acquainted after facing off in consecutive conference finals, with each team winning one before capturing the last two Stanley Cups.

The sides got together for their second of three meetings this season when the Kings rallied from three deficits Wednesday night to take a 4-3 victory at the Staples Center. They will battle once more at the United Center in late March and if form holds true from the last two seasons, will settle things in the conference finals for the right to play for a Cup in late May and early June.

"When the Kings and Chicago play, lots of people are excited," Hawks winger Marian Hossa said. "We are excited because they're always high-paced games. Both teams have accomplished so much in a short period of time."

Time has marched on since the teams engaged in an epic battle during the conference finals that Martinez ended when his shot from the point made its way through traffic and past goaltender Corey Crawford to stun the Hawks, who had tied the series after being down 3-1.

"That series was unbelievable," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "Every game was incredible. We lost some tough games. Game 5, unbelievable, then you look at Game 6. Game 7, we don't like to think about. It was one of those series that will go down as one people will remember."

The LA Kings Jersey have some work to do even to reach the playoffs as they stand in fifth place in the Pacific Division and currently out of the postseason mix. The Hawks begin the stretch drive of the season — Wednesday's contest was Game 48 of 82 — looking to enhance their playoff positioning.

"To me, the playoff race started early in October," Quenneville said. "It's an interesting battle we have. You look at our division and conference … there is a lot of meaning every game. These are going to be like playoff-like atmospheres or playoff games from here on out."

Getting healthy: Winger Kris Versteeg, who suffered a left hand injury Jan. 1 that later required surgery, skated in Chicago on Wednesday. Quenneville said it's unlikely Versteeg will join the Hawks on this trip that ends Feb. 8 against the Blues.

"We should have a better indication of how close he is … when we get to see him live," Quenneville said.

Meanwhile, Quenneville said defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk could begin skating next week. The rookie suffered a left patella fracture Nov. 16 against the Stars.

Congratulations, Blackhawks fans: Predators still obsessed with you

The Predators sit atop the Central Division, three points ahead of the Blackhawks Jersey with three games in hand.

The Predators claim the second spot in the Western Conference with 65 points, second-best in the NHL as the league resumes play after the All-Star Game.

The Predators are chasing the Ducks and outracing the Blues, and they are obsessed with the Hawks.

The Predators don’t play the Hawks again this season, at least not in the regular season, but they already are obsessed with the Hawks for next season.

Specifically, they are obsessed with Hawks fans. They are obsessed with keeping them out of their rink, if not the state and above the Mason-Dixon Line altogether.

The Predators have lost two games at home this season. That’s the fewest home losses in the league this season. But one of those losses came came against the Blackhawks, and the Predators are apoplectic. Still.

Congratulations, Hawks fans. You travel so well and beat the Predators ticket-selling game that Nashville management and players felt they lost home-ice advantage that night.

And remember, that was a night on which the Predators played “God Bless America’’ instead of the “Star-Spangled Banner’’ because of Hawks fans’ tradition of cheering during the national anthem. patrick kane jersey.

And now, get a load of this paragraph from an email the Predators recently sent to season-ticket holders in “Smashville,’’ which is what they call Nashville, because it’s a cute name, I guess:

“Given our successes on and off the ice, Smashville is experiencing an unacceptable number of opposing team fans for certain marquee games at Bridgestone Arena disrupting the home ice advantage that the 7th Man provides. From ownership on down, we find this unsatisfactory and are committed to having a sea of gold in our building to continuously prove to Central Division opponents, and the rest of the NHL, that the Predators will always have home ice advantage in Smashville.’’

The email also detailed possible tougher restrictions for buying and reselling tickets next season that would make it harder for Hawks fans. This also goes for a number of traveling Blues and Red Wings fans, but mostly Hawks fans.

The Predators are obsessed with the Hawks. Did I mention that?

Seems to me, if the Predators indeed had the best home-ice advantage in the NHL the way their email claims, then they wouldn’t have to worry about opposing fans invading.

It also seems to me that first-place teams should act like it.

The Predators, you might recall, tried to stamp out Hawks fans a couple summers ago. Before the 2013 season, if you wanted a ticket to a Hawks game in Nashville, you had to buy a ticket to a second game. jonathan toews Jersey.

But the Predators didn’t stop there. They would allow Hawks-plus-one presale only if the potential purchaser was associated with a local zip code.

It was part of the Predators’ “Keep The Red Out’’ campaign, and it was reminiscent of the White Sox’s plan to cross Cubs fans years ago. After Cubs fans took over The Cell during interleague play, the Sox allowed fans to purchase tickets to Cubs games only if they purchased tickets to three other games. The plan didn’t last long.

The Predators, though, bless 'em, they keep trying to block Hawks fans. After starting with original ticket sales, they’re expanding to whatever part of the resale market they can control.

Soon, the Predators will mobilize the U.S. Border Patrol, and if Hawks fans still find ways to barge back into Bridgestone Arena, I believe the Predators will hold their breath until they turn blue.

Blue Jackets' Foligno, Blackhawks' Toews named All-Star captains

Nick Foligno of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Jonathan Toews Jersey of the Chicago Blackhawks have been named team captains for the 2015 NHL All-Star weekend Jan. 23-24 in Columbus, league officials said Wednesday.

The NHL said the all-star teams will now be designated as Team Foligno and Team Toews.

In addition, Drew Doughty Jersey of the Los Angeles Kings and Patrick Kane Jersey of the Blackhawks have been named assistant captains of Team Foligno, whileRyan Getzlaf of the Anaheim Ducks and Rick Nash of the New York Rangers will assist Toews.

The captains and assistants were selected by NHL Hockey Operations in consultation with players selected for the game. The captains will oversee the selection of their teams on Jan. 23, will set the rosters for the team skills competition the following day, and then will wear the "C" on their jerseys during the game the day after that.

Team Foligno, coached by the reigning Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings coach, Darryl Sutter, and his staff, is designated as the home team and will wear the black uniforms previously unveiled by the NHL. Team Toews, coached by Nashville head coach Peter Laviolette and his staff, will wear white uniforms. Capitals Jersey.

Representing the hometown Blue Jackets, Foligno is playing in his eighth NHL season and third with Columbus. The 27-year-old Buffalo, New York, native leads the Blue Jackets in goals (18) and points (40) in 2014-15, and is among the NHL leaders in goals (T12th), points (T15th), power play goals (9, T3rd) and power play points (20, 3rd).

Toews, also captain of the Blackhawks Jersey, will be making his fourth career NHL All-Star appearance. The 26-year-old Winnipeg, Manitoba, native ranks second on the Blackhawks in goals (13), assists (25) and points (38) this season and collected 1,217,210 votes to finish third overall in this year's fan vote.

Among the assistant captains, Nash is a former Blue Jackets captain who will be returning to Columbus. He is tied for the league lead in goals with 26.

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Teravainen gaining experience across Blackhawks lineup

Teuvo Teravainen might end very well up a center. It’s been assumed that was the plan since the Blackhawks Jersey grabbed him with the 18th overall pick of the 2012 draft.

At least for Sunday night’s game against the Minnesota Wild, that’s not where Teravainen will play. After playing on a wing with center Andrew Shaw Jersey and Patrick Sharp on Friday in Edmonton, Teravainen is expected to be back on the right as he skates in his seventh career game.

The fact he’s playing – not where – is what matters to the 20-year-old rookie.

“I’ll play wherever they (want) me to play,” Teravainen said. “I’m happy to play, so every time I get the chance to go out there I try to play my best.”

By all accounts, Teravainen made progress Friday against the Oilers. During what was a forgettable night for most of his teammates, Teravainen played a season-high 14:42 and was one of the most active Hawks.

“He had a great game last game. He had a lot of opportunities,” Shaw said. “He made some good plays and he’s confident with the puck. We need that in him. He’s going to be huge for us.”

Eventually, Teuvo Teravainen Jersey’s path could take him back to the middle. For now it’s not where he is, though he is on a line with a former center in Sharp and a current one in Shaw, something that has obvious advantages.

“I think it’s good. If someone gets caught low they know what they’re doing,” Shaw said. “They’re always supporting all over the ice. I think we have some good chemistry.”

Hawks coach Joel Quenneville has also liked what he’s seen from Teravainen, and also knows that he can play all over the lineup, something he’s done in his brief time back in the NHL.

“We’ve got all our centermen healthy right now. I still think that whether it’s Shawzy in the middle or him in the middle is an option to change as you go along taking faceoffs,” Quenneville said. “Those guys can jump in – particularly when it’s on the right side – but when he’s on the right side I don’t mind his decision making. I think he moves to the right areas and in a short amount of time I’ve been happy with the way he’s played.”

Teravainen’s also had to learn a lot thanks to playing all over the lineup, something he sees as a positive.

“It’s good. I get more ready,” Teravainen said. “Whatever it is I’m ready to go there.”

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Roy Leads Oilers Past Blackhawks 5-2

The Edmonton Oilers appear to be getting it together under interim coach Todd Nelson.

Derek Roy had a goal and two assists to lift the Oilers to a 5-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks Jersey on Friday night.

Benoit Pouliot, Jeff Petry, Nail Yakupov and Taylor Hall also scored for the Oilers, who are 3-1-2 under Nelson since he took over sole coaching responsibilities when general manager Craig MacTavish moved back upstairs from the bench.

“We’re starting to gel a lot as a team,” Hall said. “When we get down, we come together. We don’t try to do too much individually. We’re starting to play like that and it’s helping out a lot. It’s a nice little stretch for us. A win is a win, no matter where it is in the season.

“And when you’re winning against a team like Chicago, it’s even better.”

The Oilers had lost 20 of their previous 21 games before the recent surge.

“That’s how we have to play every game,” Yakupov said. “That was really a team game tonight. It was really exciting. We started to play the right way.”

Brandon Saad Jersey had a pair of goals for the Blackhawks, who have lost two of their last three.

“They played a good game, but we had all the chances we needed to win this game tonight,” Blackhawks goalie Antti Raanta said. “I’ve played better games myself.”

The Blackhawks started the scoring 7 1/2 minutes into the first period as Edmonton’s Ben Scrivens was able to make an initial stop on Chicago’s Jonathan Toews, but the Oilers’ defense let Saad skate in unmarked to put the rebound into the net for his 11th goal.

Edmonton got the goal back just over a minute later as Pouliot tucked a puck past Raanta during a scramble in front of the Blackhawks’ net.

The Oilers went up 2-1 on the power play with late in the opening frame. Teddy Purcell fed a puck in front of the Chicago net and Roy came racing in to deflect it past Raanta.

“It was a great sign that we could bounce back right away,” Nelson said. “That’s good to see. Hopefully that continues and we keep on maturing in that direction. Once they scored, our guys stuck with it and got rewarded.”

Chicago tied it six minutes into the second period as Oilers defenseman Nikita Nikitin allowed a 2-on-1, and Marian Hossa elected to shoot on the play and the rebound came directly to Saad, who scored his second goal of the game.

Edmonton came flying back to regain the lead only 46 seconds later as Petry joined the rush and slipped the rebound from Yakupov’s shot through Raanta’s legs to make it 3-2.

Scrivens kept his team in the lead with five minutes left in the second period as he made a huge stop on Andrew Shaw on the doorstep.

The Oilers were able to clamp down on defense and limit the Blackhawks Winter Classic Jersey’ chances in the third until Yakupov was able to put the game away, coming in with Hall on a 2-on-0 opportunity and electing to shoot himself, beating Raanta on the backhand with three minutes remaining. It was Yakupov’s first goal in 15 games.

Hall added an empty-netter shortly afterward.

“The game winning-goal, the third one, if you let that kind of bad rebound right to a guy’s stick, you have to recover and make the save,” Raanta said. “You can’t let in that kind of goal. We lost the game almost because of me, so it is a bad feeling.”

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Chicago Blackhawks (26-12-2) at Minnesota Wild (18-15-5), 8 p.m. (ET)

The struggling Minnesota Wild will aim for a win against the Chicago Blackhawks Jersey when the Central Division foes meet for Thursday's battle at Xcel Energy Center.

The Wild have just two wins over their last 10 games (2-4-4) and enter Thursday's action six points out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Minnesota also trails second-place Chicago by 13 points in the division standings and the Wild have dropped two straight and five of the last eight meetings in this series. The clubs met for the first of five encounters in 2014-15 back on Dec. 16 in Chicago and the Blackhawks notched a 5-3 decision.

The Wild, who are 10-4-5 at home this season, have won two straight and four of their last six home games versus Chicago.

Minnesota lost its second straight game the last time out, dropping the opener of a three-game homestand in overtime against the San Jose Sharks Jersey.

The Wild suffered the 4-3 loss while playing without star forward Zach Parise, who missed the game to be with his ailing father, former NHL player J.P. Parise, who succumbed to lung cancer Wednesday evening. He was 73.

Minnesota held a 2-0 lead in Tuesday's game against the Sharks, but the Wild would need to tie the game late in regulation to send the game to OT. Jason Zucker evened the score at 3-3 with 7:48 left in the third, but Marc-Edouard Vlasic tallied the OT winner, burying a slap shot with 1:52 remaining in the extra session.

Zucker notched two goals and an assist in the loss. Jared Spurgeon also scored for Minnesota and Darcy Kuemper made 22 saves to fall to 13-12-1 on the season.

"I thought we competed and fought well," said Minnesota defenseman Ryan Suter. "Of course there's some plays we'd like to have back, but we stuck with them the whole game."

The Blackhawks are in a minor funk, having lost two of three to begin the 2015 calendar year.

Chicago dropped a 2-0 decision to visiting Colorado on Tuesday and tonight Joel Quenneville's club will try to avoid its first set of consecutive losses since falling to Toronto and Winnipeg on Nov. 1 and 2.

The Blackhawks 2015 winter classic jersey couldn't get a single puck past Semyon Varlamov on Tuesday despite firing 54 shots at the Colorado netminder. Corey Crawford, meanwhile, allowed both goals on 24 shots as he watched his team get shut out for the first time since Nov. 2 against the Jets.

Colorado tallied the only offense it would need just 53 seconds into the game when the rebound of John Mitchell's shot went right to Nathan MacKinnon, who wristed it over the glove of Crawford. Just 24 seconds later, Max Talbot slipped in MacKinnon's pass off the rush for a 2-0 game.

"We just couldn't find a way to bury the puck," Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews said.

Chicago is opening a two-game road trip and will cap the brief swing tomorrow night in Edmonton. The Blackhawks are 12-7-1 as the visiting team this season.

It's uncertain if Crawford or backup Antti Raanta will get the start in net tonight. Crawford is 5-3-2 with a 2.38 goals against average in his career versus Minnesota, while Raanta is 1-1-0 with a 2.56 GAA in this matchup.

Veteran Niklas Backstrom is 6-10-1 with a 2.90 GAA in his career against Chicago and will get the start tonight.

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Brent Seabrook, Corey Crawford eager for 1st All-Star experience

Four of the Blackhawks Jersey on the ice for the national anthem before Sunday night's game at the United Center are headed to the NHL All-Star Game.

Less than a minute after the opening faceoff against the Stars, a fifth All-Star jumped over the boards during a Hawks line change.

All those All-Stars — with a little help from their friends — combined forces to help the Hawks rally from deficits four times during a 5-4 victory over the Stars in overtime. Patrick Sharp scored the winner in OT to send the Hawks to their third win in their last five games.

"A couple of times this year we've been down late in the game and found a way to tie it up," said Sharp, who also had an assist. "It speaks to really a total team effort. We have a number of guys who want to score that goal and a good team system that allows us to get those chances. Big goal (by Brad Richards) to tie it up and we stole the two points."