The Chicago Blackhawks have issued a strong statement after Nina Sanders, an outside contractor specializing in Native American relations, filed a lawsuit accusing them of fraud and sexual harassment. The team claims that it only severed ties with Sanders after she expressed frustration over her working situation and opted out of an agreed-upon extension.

Sanders’ lawsuit claims explicitly that one Blackhawks employee made unwanted advances toward her and sent explicit images to her through Snapchat. She also claimed to have witnessed multiple incidents in which male employees made similar advances to other women working for the team. She considered her attempts to report these incidents as the reason the team cut ties with her, which directly conflicted with the team’s account of their agreement.

In their statement, the Blackhawks claim that they conducted a thorough investigation and did not find any evidence of internal wrongdoing.

“Based on the information available to us, we found insufficient evidence to substantiate her claims,” the team’s statement read. “Of note, the persons identified by Ms. Sanders in your question are not, and have never been, independent contractors with nor employees of the Chicago Blackhawks.”

In addition to denying Sanders’ claims, the Blackhawks also attempted to clarify their working relationship with Sanders, who was hired in 2020 to assist the team in formalizing relationships with local indigenous groups, specifically the Sac and Fox Nation. Despite claiming to have offered Sanders a contract extension in 2023, the team also criticized her job performance and claimed that she did not mention her issues with the team until she denied an extension.

“After contract negotiations dissolved, Ms. Sanders shared her frustrations with the organization over the working relationship and introduced noted allegations, none of which had been shared by Ms. Sanders at any time during her engagement with the Chicago Blackhawks,” the team said in its statement.

In attempting to clarify Sanders’ minimal role in the Blackhawks’ Native American relations campaign and criticizing her professional abilities, the team is creating a vastly different account than the one Sanders provided in her lawsuit. The allegations of sexual harassment are not the only thing that the team will have to fight against in court, as Sanders is claiming that her complaints relating to those incidents were the motivation for the team to violate the terms of her contract.

Connor Bedard, hockey’s newest phenom, was selected first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL Draft Wednesday. The 17-year-old centre is already being compared to the greats of the sport and has already made his mark on the Chicago fanbase.

“It’s incredible. I can’t it put into words,” Bedard said in his Wednesday news conference. “Growing up, they were going on their runs, winning [Stanley] Cups. You see the United Center going crazy and all of Chicago getting behind them. I’m so happy to part of the Blackhawks organization.”

Going into the draft, the debate surrounding Bedard had nothing to do with his ability, but his ceiling. Some hesitate to call him a generational talent, on the level of Wayne Gretzky or Connor McDavid when they first entered the league. Others are more than prepared to do so, however, as multiple teams are rumored to have tanked their 2022-23 seasons in order to draft him.

“He’s a pretty special player, a very special person, Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson told reporters. “We’ll let him determine how special that first season is.

Within hours of the draft, the Blackhawks made $2.5 million in season ticket sales, an immediate result of Bedard’s arrival in the city. With a 26-49-7 record last season, Chicago’s fanbase has immediately been revitalized by the team’s most recent acquisition.

“I can’t put into words growing up and obviously, that’s when they were going on their runs winning Cups,” Bedard went on to say. “You watched a lot of them and you see the United Center going crazy and all of Chicago getting behind them and you know (the) Original Six and so much history here.”

For the past three seasons, Bedard has made a name for himself in the junior-level Canadian Hockey League, playing for the Regina Pats. He gained entry to the league one year early after gaining exceptional status. Representing Canada at the 2022 Junior Ice Hockey Championships, Bedard broke Gretzky’s record for most goals scored by a 16-year-old at the event.

The Chicago Blackhawks have won the draft lottery and own the right to draft Connor Bedard – but the NHL has flaws in its system that rewards tanking.

On Monday night, there weren’t many surprises when deputy commissioner Bill Daly was revealing the team’s draft positions based on the lottery that was conducted.

It didn’t happen until the third pick when the Columbus Blue Jackets wound up falling down a spot to three after entering the night with the second-best odds.

And there haven’t been many surprises since the NHL implemented rule changes in 2021.

That year the team with the best odds at 16.6 percent, the Buffalo Sabres, won the first overall pick.

A year later the Montreal Canadiens won the draft lottery after having an 18.5 percent chance at winning it.

That same year, the New Jersey Devils moved up three spots to grab the number two overall pick.

But the system used to be different and exciting.

Teams outside the top 10 had a legitimate chance to jump inside the top three.

For example, the Carolina Hurricanes in 2018 jumped from the number 11 overall pick to the number two selection after a lottery was conducted.

A year before, Philadelphia Flyers landed the number two pick after entering the night in the 13th slot.

And who could forget the New York Rangers winning in 2020 after participating in the second phase of the lottery?

But those days of madness and keeping fans on edge are over.

The Blackhawks can pick the best-regarded NHL prospect since Connor McDavid was drafted in 2015 in Connor Bedard.

This isn’t to say that the team with the best odds shouldn’t have a chance at winning the draft lottery – but the worst teams often make moves that are not designed to win games.

For example, in the past year, the Blackhawks have traded stars in Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane for draft picks.

The organization also traded Kirby Dach for a first and third-round pick.

Of course, this is rebuilding a franchise and starting over.

But let’s also call it like it is – and that’s tanking for one of the best NHL draft prospects in recent history.

The Chicago Blackhawks dealing Patrick Kane to the New York Rangers finally appears set to happen this evening deal after days of unrest – but the return isn’t great.

The Blackhawks are expected to get back a conditional second-round pick in 2023 and a fourth-round pick, reports NHL insider Frank Servalli.

It could become a first-round pick in either 2024 or 2025 if the Rangers win two playoff rounds.

With the Blackhawks retaining 50 percent of Kane’s $10.5 cap hit, the Arizona Coyotes will reportedly get a third-round pick for paying a portion of his salary.

That would lead to the Rangers only being responsible for just over a $2.6 million cap hit on Kane’s deal.

While it was a long a complicated process it’s not surprising that we got to this point.

It was no secret that Kane would only waive his no-movement clause to play for the Rangers.

But the Rangers had to figure out a number of issues including finding a third party to eat up a portion of Kane’s contract to make the salary work.

The Rangers were forced in the past few days to get creative by trading forward Vitali Kravtsov and make multiple transactions between the AHL and NHL to make a deal work.

But it appears that it’s now over.

The Blackhawks get peanuts in return for one of the NHL’s top-scoring leaders in the past several years.

Normally this kind of deal would at least fetch a legit NHL-owned – but Kane didn’t give the organization any other option and took full advantage of his no-movement clause.

The Blackhawks only got back what the Rangers were willing to give up.

Now the Rangers will hope that Kane will be enough to take them over the top to win its first Stanley Cup since 1994.

The Buffalo, New York native is expected to make his debut on Wednesday with the Rangers.

While the trade hasn’t officially happened yet, it would be shocking if Kane got cold feet and refused to waive his no-move clause.

The trade will become official once the trade call is complete, which is expected to happen sometime tonight.

With a hat trick in a 7-3 blowout win against the Chicago Blackhawks Tuesday, Alexander Ovechkin became the third player in NHL history to score 800 career goals, joining Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe. It wasn’t the prettiest score of his career, but it would’ve been a tall task for the Washington Capitals star to make his 800th his best.

Between 14 postseason berths and a Stanley Cup victory in 2018, Ovechkin has given more to the Capitals than any individual in the franchise’s history. In fact, his impact on the team and league is so widely understood that some Chicago fans threw their hats on the rink as a show of respect after his historic score.

Now at 800, the Great Eight is one goal away from tying Howe for the second-most goals all time. Though Gretzky’s total of 894 is still out of reach, Ovechkin has nevertheless ensured that he will be remembered as one of the greatest goal scorers in the history of the sport. He will have a chance to tie or overtake Howe on Thursday when the Capitals play the Dallas Stars at 7:00 p.m. ET.

“Let’s take it step by step,” Ovechkin said. “It’s a big number. It’s the best company you ever can imagine since you started playing hockey, with Gordie (and Wayne) — 800, I’m the third person who ever scored that many goals.”

Ovechkin’s longevity has been a marvel in itself, as the Capitals’ captain has remained healthy for years in an especially punishing sport. His sustained success has been even more remarkable, however, as he has now scored at least 20 goals in every season since his NHL career began in 2005. He is on pace for another highly productive season this year at age 37 with 20 goals in 31 games thus far.

Ovechkin’s performance has not yet propelled the Capitals in the standings, as the team is sixth in the Metropolitan Division, standing at 15-12 with four overtime losses.

Trade rumors have been swirling around Chicago Blackhawk’s top players including Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane all offseason, but it was downplayed by both players.

On the first day of training on Thursday, Kane and Toews both addressed the media.

“Just a lot of noise and a lot of rumors,” Kane said. “I don’t think there was too much to anything.” 

Toews said: “A lot of change overall by the organization, but it’s nice to get settled in. There’s no more talk. You just get to go out and play and start moving forward.”

In the offseason, the Blackhawks made a major shakeup to its core and appear committed to a full rebuild.

It traded star winger Alex DeBrincat to Ottawa Senators for a package that included the 7th overall pick in the 2022 draft.

It also traded 21-year-old Kirby Dach, who was selected third overall in 2019, for a first and third-round pick in 2022.

Additionally, the Blackhawks let Dylan Strome walk in unrestricted free agency.

The moves indicate that both Toews and Kane could be next.

While it may not happen in the coming weeks as the Blackhawks get set for the regular season, there’s a chance it happens closer to the trade deadline, which is on February 20.

This is assuming that the Blackhawks aren’t in a playoff position as expected.

But two things make a trade complicated.

First, keep in mind both Toews and Kane have one year left with $10.5 million cap hits.

So, the Blackhawks would have to find a team near the trade deadline that would be able to absorb it.

The Blackhawks can also retain a portion of each player’s salary – up to 50%.

But the biggest issue is both have full no move clauses (NMC).

That means Kane and Toews control their trade destinations.

Also, both can refuse to waive their NMCs period and stay pat with the Blackhawks for the remainder of the regular season.

But Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson may be calling both players to see where they want to be traded if the Blackhawks do in fact endure a lot of losing this season.

“As far as any player movement, we’re not anywhere near that point. We’re focused on Jonathan and Patrick being here and being part of the team and competing right from the opening day,” Davidson told the media this week. 

But a trade does seem like the inevitable – whether it happens in February or sooner. 

Defenseman Jake McCabe is set to miss up to three months after suffering a back injury that has required surgery.

The Chicago Blackhawks said he will miss 10-12 weeks after getting his cervical spine successfully repaired.

The unfortunate news comes as McCabe is entering the second year of his four-year $16 million contract, which he signed with the team last July.

When he was a member of the Buffalo Sabres, McCabe suffered both a torn ACL and MCL in February 2021.

It’s unclear how exactly McCabe injured his back.

Meanwhile, Blackhawks insider Charlie Roumeliotis reported that the team knew about the injury for quite some time.

That could have been the reason why the team signed veteran defenseman Jack Johnson, who is coming off a Stanley Cup win this summer.

While Johnson will likely get some playing in McCabe’s absence, don’t expect him to have a big positive impact on the ice.

The 35-year-old ranked near the bottom on the list in advanced metrics with the Colorado Avalanche.

In 74 games, Johnson posted an expected goal for percentage (xGF%) of 46.63, along with a corsi for percentage(CF%) of 47.72, according to Natural Stat Trick.

In ice time, Johnson ranked fifth amongst Avalanche defensemen last year.

Additionally, the Blackhawks have been in a rebuild mode.

The organization in the offseason made major moves in the offseason including trading star winger Alex DeBrincat to Ottawa Senators and letting center Dylan Strome walk in unrestricted free agency.

Moreover, bigger names in Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews have been circulating in the rumor mill all offseason.

But neither have requested trades amid intense times, according to Blackhawks beat reporter Ben Pope.

Last season, the Blackhawks finished 27th overall in the league.

This year it’s possible things head so far south that it could be in the running for the first overall pick to draft Connor Bedard, who plays for the Regina Pats out of the WHL.

In 75 games last season, McCabe tallied 22 points with the Blackhawks.

The Chicago Blackhawks and have settled a lawsuit by former player Kyle Beach. Beach says he was sexually assaulted by assistant coach Brad Aldrich during the Blackhawks’ 2010 Stanley Cup run.

The agreement they reached will remain secret between the two parties. A statement was released by Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz, chairman Danny Wirtz and Beach’s attorney, Susan Loggans.

“The Blackhawks hope that this resolution will bring some measure of peace and closure for Mr. Beach … We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensure that, going forward, this team will be a beacon for professionalism, respect and integrity in our community. We remain grateful for the trust and support of the Blackhawks community, and we promise to continue working every day to earn and maintain that trust.”

Aldrich contends that the sexual encounter was consensual.

Beach’s account is not the only one against Aldrich. A former high school student in Michigan has also filed a lawsuit for assault against him. Aldrich remained with the team through the 2010 season but resigned when given the option between resigning and taking part in the investigation after Beach’s claims.

After an internal investigation this fall found that the Blackhawks mishandled Beach’s allegations in 2010, and they were fined $2 million by the NHL. The fallout from the investigation led to Blackhawks’ coach during the time of the assault, Joel Quenneville, resigning from his position with the Florida Panthers.

Beach was picked No.11 overall in 2008. By the 2010 title run, he was mainly relegated to a backup position.

The name of the former Chicago Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich has been removed from the Stanley Cup after several years of ongoing sexual assault allegations. His name is the first in history to be fully removed from the trophy.

In 2010, Aldrich had invited the 20-year-old rookie at the time, Kyle Beach, to his apartment for dinner. Beach later told the Blackhawks that he had been sexually assaulted by Aldrich that night. Beach also explained that his career was threatened. “To be honest, I was scared mostly. I was fearful. I had my career threatened. I felt alone and darker,” he said about the following days after the assault.

Beach had spoken up in 2010, but the team leaders at the time decided that an investigation would be bad publicity during their playoff push. The Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup that year and allegations were not made public until months after.

Beach said that seeing Aldrich celebrate the Stanley Cup victory as if nothing had happened made him feel “like nothing.” He said, “It made me feel like I didn’t exist. It made me feel like he was in the right and I was wrong.”

Aldrich was asked months later to either resign or allow an investigation to take place. He resigned and has since worked for USA Hockey, Notre Dame and other universities. However, in 2013 he was arrested for criminal sexual conduct including with a minor. He pleaded guilty and is a registered sex offender in Michigan.

Recently, Beach filed a lawsuit against the Blackhawks using the name John Doe but has since revealed his identity publicly. The Blackhawks’ chairman Rocky Wirtz wrote to the Hockey Hall of Fame asking that Alderich’s name be taken off the trophy.

“Taking a stand on the unforgivable behavior of Aldrich should include erasing his name from the Cup,” he wrote. “Out of respect to each and every player who sacrificed to earn their place on the Cup, our request is based on principle and our moral belief that a convicted sex offender does not belong on the Stanley Cup.”

Kyle Beach had strong words for the NHL and its leaders after revealing his identity as “John Doe” in a damning report released Tuesday that showed inaction by the Chicago Blackhawks management when presented with sexual assault allegations.

These allegations included current Florida Panthers coach Joel Quenneville, the coach of the Blackhawks in 2010 when the alleged incident between Beach and former video coach Brad Aldrich occurred. Beach claims that Aldrich sexually assaulted him.

Beach said that meetings took place in Quenneville’s office after he told mental skills coach Jim “Doc” Gary and skills coach Paul Vincent about his allegations.

“There’s absolutely no way Quenneville can deny knowing it,” Beach told TSN. “And there’s absolutely no way Stan Bowman would make up a quote like that.”

Quenneville has publicly said he never knew of the allegations, although the report said a contingent including Quenneville, former general manager Stan Bowman and other members of the front office discussed it. The report said that Quenneville and former team president John McDonough wanted to keep the focus on the team during their playoff run.

“The NHL let me down and they’ve let others down as well,” Beach said. “But they continue to try and protect their name over the health and well-being of the people who put their lives on the line every day to make the NHL what it is.”

Quenneville did not attend to his post-game media responsibilities following Florida’s 4-1 victory over the Boston Bruins. Instead, the general manager of the Panthers Bill Zito, read a prepared statement:

“Joel will be meeting with Commissioner Gary Bettman and he has no comments prior to that meeting. As an organization, we commend Kyle Beach for his courage in coming forward this evening to bring to light the pain he endured during his time in Chicago. Information that has recently become available is deeply troubling. There’s no question the events described in Tuesday’s report are serious and severe. We are working closely with the National Hockey League to assist with the ongoing process and with respect to that will not comment further until after the commissioner’s meeting tomorrow with Joel.”

Beach maintains that the NHL sweeping the situation under the rug.“If this would have been reported to somebody other than team leaders, that didn’t have skin in the game of winning in the Stanley Cup, it would have been dealt with,” Beach said, “and it would have protected the survivors that came after me.”

Chicago Blackhawks veteran forward Andrew Shaw announced his retirement on Monday.

The veteran forward took his doctor’s recommendation to retire because of concussions. “I want people to know that I’m ok,” Shaw told ESPN. “I’m in a good place, but I’m going to miss it; I’m going to miss it like crazy still.”

The forward is known for his physical and gritty play on the ice. The physical play had a factor to play with the repeated head injuries he suffered throughout his career. A recent concussion in November of 2019 kept him off the ice for 14 months. The 29-year-old came into the season feeling rejuvenated and ready to play. Unfortunately, in February, the forward took an elbow to the head during a game against the Dallas Stars and was diagnosed with another concussion.

“I know I only played 14 games [this season], but to work your way back, when people are telling you that you should be done, and people are doubting you could make it back, it was worth it,” Shaw said. “I took my time, I made sure I was feeling 100 percent, and then to score a few goals at the UC [United Center] again, it was worth it. I wouldn’t change it at all.”

The Blackhawks posted Shaw’s retirement announcement video on Twitter. “There comes a time when every athlete needs to realize that health is a priority, and a future with their family is most important that time for me is now,” Shaw said in the video. “After several concussions, doctors strongly recommended that I stop playing the game I love, and for the first time in my life, I’m going to listen.”

The forward was drafted 139 overall in the 2011 NHL draft by Chicago. Shaw played seven seasons with Chicago and three with the Montreal Canadiens. The forward has 247 total points with 116 goals and 131 assists throughout his career.

The Boston Bruins lost only their third game of the season Thursday after being edged out by the Central Division’s last place Chicago Blackhawks, 4-3 in overtime. After blowing a three goal lead in the third period, Jonathan Toews scored the game-winning goal a minute into overtime.

Ryan Carpenter started off the scoring for the Blackhawks with a short-handed goal in the first period. Dylan Strome followed up with a goal 40 seconds later after he redirected a shot from Erik Gustafsson.

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW 

Alex DeBrincat really needed to get going after not scoring for Chicago in the last 12 games. The 21-year-old American is coming off a season where he netted 41 goals with 76 total points. He finally answered the bell blasting a wrist shot stick side past Rask on a breakaway in the third period.

“It was a long time between goals. But hopefully I can get hot again and keep going,” DeBrincat said.

Boston surged back with third period goals coming from Joakim Nordstrom and Chris Wagner, before Torrey Krug tied the game at 3-3 with two and a half minutes remaining.

After stripping the puck from Bruins’ star David Pastrnak, Toews and Blackhawks’ right wing Patrick Kane ,skated down the ice with a two on none breakaway. Toews was able to deke out Bruins’ goalie Tuukka Rask and score on the backhand in front of a hostile TD Garden crowd in Boston. This is definitely an upset considering Boston is first in the Atlantic Division with 45 points (20-3-6) and 15 points clear of the second place Florida Panthers.

After 15 seasons and raising four up Stanley Cups, forward Chris Kunitz intends to call it a career this offseason.

After finishing his playing career and now starting his next opportunity with his current team, Kunitz reportedly plans to stay with the Chicago Blackhawks as a developmental player advisor to usher in his life’s next stage.

Kunitz issued nothing but thanks for his teammates and coaches after announcing his plans to hang up his skates, and stated, “Your leadership helped mold me into the player I knew I could be. I was given the opportunity to play with the very best teams and the very best players and I’m grateful for the laughs and the friendships that we shared together.”

Former teammates such as Ian Cole and other fans also expressed their thanks for Kunitz across Twitter Tuesday night.

Kunitz finishes out an applause-warranting career with 268 goals and 351 assists while playing in 1,022 games split up between the Blackhawks, Atlanta Thrashers, Anaheim Ducks, Tampa Bay Lightning, and most notably, the Pittsburgh Penguins. While serving as a linemate for the all–time great Sidney Crosby during his time in Pittsburgh, he won his last three championships as a Penguin.

IN MEMORIAM: SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019 TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW

Aside from his successful years in Pittsburgh, Kunitz also captured a Stanley Cup while paying for the team that drafted him, the Ducks, in 2007.

Kunitz addressed each organization he played for, thanking them for not only the way they treated him but also his family over his career. Kunitz commented, “I’d like to sincerely thank the Anaheim Ducks, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Chicago Blackhawks. Every one of these organizations was the ultimate example, not only to me, but to my children, on what true professionalism should be.”

Jeremy Colliton said he is excited to have Kunitz aboard going forward, and Kunitz’s coach-turned-colleague stated, “I’m very pleased to have him a part of our coaching group and, also, use him as a development resource for our young players in Rockford.” Kunitz likely plans to serve Colliton’s players directly as an advisor, while also tending to the club’s AHL team, the Rockford IceHogs.

The Chicago Blackhawks will host the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday evening, and here is what you need to know.

Blackhawks host Golden Knights On Nov. 27

Vegas (12-12-1) won their last game 5-2 against the Blackhawks (9-10-5) on Feb. 13. The Golden Knights are third in the Pacific Division and are coming off three straight victories, including two back-to-back shutouts: a 6-0 win over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday and a 2-0 win over the Calgary Flames on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Blackhawks are struggling at sixth in their division. Chicago is coming off a 5-4 overtime victory over the Florida Panthers on Saturday, but before that lost eight of ten games since November started. The team’s only two wins in that ten-game stretch were against St. Louis and Minnesota.

The Blackhawks rank 11th in the Western conference and 22nd in the NHL, with 23 points this season. Chicago is also fifth in the wildcard race.

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW

The Golden Knights are 8th in the West and 18th in the league with 25 points on the season. They are also fifth in the wildcard race, second in the NHL in shots allowed, third in win percentage when leading after the second period, and sixth in total face-offs won. Vegas is ranked low, however, in goals per game (26th) and power-play percentage (22nd).

Patrick Kane will be watched closely, as he logged one goal and one assist for the Blackhawks in 24:25 minutes of ice time in Saturday’s win over Florida. Cam Ward made 34 saves on 38 shots.

Vegas is powered by veteran goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, who blocked all 33 shots he faced in Saturday’s win over the Sharks.

Tuesday’s game at United Center will start at 8 p.m. EST and will air on NBC Sports.

The Tampa Bay Lightning will continue their home-stand Friday night by hosting the Chicago Blackhawks.

Lightning Host Blackhawks On Black Friday

The game will start at 7:30 p.m. EST and will air on NBC Sports.

Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper revealed this week that two minor changes were made to the team’s top two lines: powerful pair Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos will now be on different lines. Since this change was made, the Lightning (15-6-1, 1st in Atlantic Division) beat the Florida Panthers 7-3 at home on Wednesday behind a combined two goals and seven points.

“We shook the lines up a little bit and it seemed to give everybody a little energy,” Cooper told Fox Sports. “But (Stamkos) was seeing it, he was feeling it a little bit. He earned all the breaks he was getting, and he was making some fabulous plays out there and that’s probably why he ends up with four points.”

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW

Meanwhile, the Blackhawks (8-9-5) are sixth in the Central Division. Chicago replaced its head coach on Nov. 6: Jeremy Colliton took over for Joel Quenneville. Since then, the team has only won two of their seven games.

Despite boasting top players like Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Brandon Saad, the Blackhawks are one of the lowest-scoring teams in the NHL (2.64 goals per game on average).

Chicago is coming off a 4-2 road loss to the Washington Capitals on Wednesday, which started with them trailing 1-0 just 54  seconds into the game. Corey Crawford made 23 saves for the Blackhawks that day.

Stan Mikita, a Chicago Blackhawks legend, died at age 78 on Tuesday following a long battle with dementia.

Blackhawks Great Stan Mikita Dies At 78

“There are no words to describe our sadness over Stan’s passing,” the Blackhawks said in a statement shared by the Chicago Tribune. “He meant so much to the Chicago Blackhawks, to the game of hockey and to all of Chicago.”

Mikita’s family announced in 2015 that he had been diagnosed with dementia with Lewy bodies. He played as a centre for the Blackhawks for his entire professional career, from 1958 to 1980. He was considered one of the most prolific centres of the NHL during the 1960s. Mikita finished his career with 1,467 points and 926 assists.

Mikita — who last year was added to the list of 100 Greatest NHL Players — scored 541 goals for Chicago, the second most after Bobby Hull’s 604. The pair of players helped lead the Blackhawks to a Stanley Cup title in 1961. Mikita also propelled the franchise to eight division championships.

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“Stan Mikita lived a remarkable life and was a wonderful man, respected and revered by so many,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. “One of the greatest players in NHL history and a Chicago icon, he was a pioneer of the game in so many ways.”

The Blackhawks great, who wore the No. 21 jersey for the team, is survived by his wife Jill and four children.

Several celebrities and people from around the NHL paid tribute to Mikita on social media. One of these famous individuals was Mike Myers. The Canadian actor and comedian, a longtime Toronto Maple Leafs fan, wrote Mikita into the classic 1992 comedy film Wayne’s World. Myers named the hockey star the owner of a fictional donut shop called Stan Mikita’s Donuts in Aurora, Illinois, where Myers’ character Wayne and Dana Carvey‘s character Garth would often spend time. Mikita also had a cameo in the movie.

“He was a hockey legend and a gentleman. Meeting him was one of the highlights,” Myers told USA Today. 

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW

“I was humbled in his presence. I didn’t know what to say, because I get very star-struck around hockey players. It was just a fantastic experience,” Myers told Sports Illustrated in 2017.

In 2011, a statue to Mikita — and also one to Hull — was built outside the Blackhawks’ United Center in Chicago.

Here are some tributes to Mikita:

The Stanley Cup Playoffs featured several great moments on Thursday night, and one of the highlights was Mika Zibanejad’s late overtime goal that propelled the New York Rangers to a 3-2 road victory over the Montreal Canadiens.

NHL Playoffs Round 1: Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad Scores IN OT In Game 5 Win

The Rangers now lead the first-round Eastern Conference series 3-2, with Game 6 of the best-of-seven series set for Saturday night in New York.

Zibanejad’s goal came at 14:22 of overtime on a deflected pass from the left side by Chris Kreider. The 24-year-old Swedish centre beat Habs goalkeeper Carey Price to score two days after his birthday.

“I didn’t expect the puck to come to me like that, and I don’t think the defense noticed it either,” Zibanejad said. “I was able to get a stick on it — it was just awesome.”

Kreider was attempting to score when his shot bounced off Canadiens defenseman Alexei Emelin’s and slid across the slot to Zibanejad.

Zibanejad was acquired by the Rangers last summer from the Ottawa Senators in a trade with Derrick Brassard. 

The Rangers have indeed been improving this postseason. They outshot the Canadiens 10-3 in overtime Thursday, and the effort proved fruitful.

“I think there’s stuff that we didn’t do a few nights ago in overtime that we harped on as a group and I thought we did a better job,” Kreider said.

Montreal took an early 2-1 lead thanks to first-period goals from Artturi Lekhonen and Brendan Gallagher. In between those goals, Jesper Fast scored a short-handed goal with 4:04 remaining in the opening frame.

Fast tied it 1-1 to net his second goal of the playoffs on a feed from Zibanejad, who intercepted Alex Galchenyuk’s pass in the Rangers zone and rushed down the left side.

Twenty-four-seconds after Fast’s equalizer, Gallagher put the Canadiens back up with a power-play goal. Brady Skjei scored for the Rangers to tie it 2-2 with 1:32 remaining in the second period. Skjei’s goal came on a rebound of a close-range shot from Rick Nash, who took a pass from Jimmy Vesey. Price was able to make a quick save on Nash’s shot.

Price made 33 saves for Montreal, while Henrik Lundqvist stopped 34 shots for the Rangers.

Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh recorded three blocked shots and six hits in 30:41 of play.

The Canadiens led 33-26 in shots heading into overtime. The Habs and Rangers are facing off in the postseason for the 16th time, the last instance being in 2014, and New York has won eight of those series. None of the two teams’ playoff encounters have ever reached Game 7.

Game 6 is Saturday at 8 pm EST at Madison Square Garden.

Meanwhile, the Nashville Predators defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 at home in Game 4 on Thursday night to cap off the franchise’s first postseason sweep.

Roman Josi netted twice for Nashville, including the game-winning goal with 9:39 left in the third period to give the Predators a 3-1 lead.

According to Hockey Night in Canada‘s David Amber, the Predators are the first team to sweep the Blackhawks in the playoffs since the St. Louis Blues did it in 1993.

The Blackhawks managed only three goals this first-round series, the least Chicago has ever scored in a best-of-seven set.

Viktor Arvidsson also scored for Nashville, while Jonathan Toews netted the Blackhawks’ lone goal on a power play. Predators goalie Pekka Rinne made 30 saves.

Chicago is now eliminated from the 2017 NHL Playoffs, while the Predators’ second-round Western Conference opponent has yet to be determined.

The Pittsburgh Penguins also won their first-round series 4-1 after defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2 at home in Game 5 on Thursday night. The Edmonton Oilers lead their series against the San Jose Sharks 3-2 after winning 4-3 in overtime in Thursday’s Game 5.

MONTREAL, QC – APRIL 20: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers skates the puck against Paul Byron #41 of the Montreal Canadiens in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre on April 20, 2017 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

Six different NHL teams played in their first playoff game on Thursday night, and the three who emerged the winners were the Nashville Predators, the Washington Capitals and the Anaheim Ducks.

NHL Playoffs Round 1: Capitals Top Maple Leafs In OT, Predators beat Blackhawks

Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne stopped 29 shots, and winger Viktor Arvidsson scored a goal at 7:52 of the first period to lift the Predators to a 1-0 road victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Predators now lead the Western Conference first-round series 1-0.

“We did a really good job messing up their systems and didn’t give them too much flow,” said Rinne, who recorded his second NHL postseason shutout. “They like to play with a lot of speed and puck possession, and we did the right things on the ice. I think that’s a credit for us to interrupt their style of play.”

Game 2 of the best-of-seven series will be held Saturday night at 8 pm EST in Chicago.

The previous two times the Blackhawks and Predators faced off in the postseason, (2010, 2015) the former eliminated the latter in the first round.

Chicago outshot Nashville 29-20, including 23-9 in the last two periods.

Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane combined for just 10 shots on goal for the Blackhawks, while Jonathan Toews didn’t record a single shot on goal in 20:38 of ice time.

Corey Crawford made 19 saves for the Blackhawks, who were shut out in a home playoff game for the first time since 2012. Meanwhile, it was the Predators’ first road shutout in their nine-year postseason history.

“We’ve just got to keep getting better in this series,” Crawford said. “That was a pretty good game by us, but we have better in us.”

Arvidsson’s goal came off a defensive error from Chicago. Predators centre Ryan Johansen took the puck from Arvidsson and drew three defensemen to him before passing to Filip Forsberg, who passed to Arvidsson.

“I figured Ryan would put it over there [to Forsberg],” Arvidsson said. “I just tried to get lost behind them, and [Forsberg] made a great shot-pass. I just tapped it in.”

Rinne made a sprawling left-skate save against Artem Anisimov with 8:15 left in the second period to stop the Blackhawks from tying the game. Anisimov returned after missing the last 13 games of the regular season with a lower-body injury, while Predaotrs forward Calle Jarnkrok came back from his own lower-body injury after missing the regular-season finale. Nashville forward Colin Wilson (lower body) missed his third consecutive game.

In Washington, meanwhile, Tom Wilson scored 5:15 into overtime to lift the Capitals to a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night.

The Capitals now lead the Eastern Conference first-round series 1-0.

“Lots of emotion,” Wilson said. “Obviously, pretty crazy. Once the puck goes in, it’s a whirlwind. Got to watch it briefly on an interview. You know what? It’s a good feeling. Hopefully we keep building those good feelings and keep it rolling here.”

The winger knocked the puck down with his hand to keep it in the zone on a clearing attempt by the Leafs, and then shot past goalie Frederik Andersen for his first goal in 29 playoff games. Wilson is also the first Capitals player to net his first postseason goal in overtime.

Toronto gained a 2-0 lead 9:44 into the game thanks to goals from Mithcell Marner (at 1:35 of the first period of his first-ever playoff game) and Jake Gardiner. However, Washington tied it with two goals from Justin Williams.

“Everything’s about momentum,” Williams said. “They certainly had it to start, and we kind of calmed down, settled the nerves and we did what we wanted to do: Come back from (down) two goals, and now you keep the pressure on.”

Williams’ first goal came on a power play at 12:24 of the first period, and then his second tied it 2-2 with 4:00 remaining in the middle period. On his second goal, Williams got a puck loose in the crease and scored through Andersen’s legs.

Gardiner’s goal was initially waved off for goaltender interference, although the call was reversed following a coach’s challenge from the Maple Leafs.

“A confidence-builder, for sure,” Toronto coach Mike Babcock said. “I liked our game. I didn’t like that we wouldn’t shoot the puck. We had so many opportunities to shoot and we wouldn’t, we wanted to pass. I thought Wilson did a good job of doing that, you just throw it on net. That’s playoff hockey. Things bounce to somebody and it goes in.”

Andersen stopped 41 shots, while Capitals goalie Braden Hotlby made 35 saves.

Wilson’s goal came after he intercepted Martin Marincin’s clear from near the end boards five minutes into overtime. Wilson then shot past defenseman Morgan Rielly and over Andersen’s shoulder from the right face-off circle to seal the victory.

Andersen made two great saves in succession in overtime: he fell to the ice to block Brooks Orpik’s shot, and then denied Andre Burakovsky with his toe.

Capitals defenseman John Carlson played 19:27 after missing the last four games of the regular season.

The Capitals and Leafs face off again for the second game of the series at 7 pm EST on Saturday at Verizon Center.

Finally, the Ducks beat Calgary 3-2 in Anaheim on Thursday for their 28th straight win over the Flames at Honda Center, including an NHL-record 25 straight regular-season games against Calgary.

Anhaeim now lead the Western Conference first-round series 1-0. The Ducks and Flames will meet for Game 2 of the best-of-seven series in Anaheim at 10:30 pm EST on Saturday.

The Stanley Cup Playoffs begin on Wednesday, and here is a preview of the five series starting that day.

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs start wednesday

In the Eastern Division, the NHL-leading Washington Capitals will play the Toronto Maple Leafs, while the reigning Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins will host the rival Columbus Blue Jackets in the Metropolitan Dvision.

In the Atlantic group, the division champion Montreal Canadiens face the wild-card New York Rangers, and the Ottawa Senators hold home-ice advantage over the Boston Bruins.

In the West, the Central Division champion Chicago Blackhawks first play the wild-card Nashville Predators. The Minnesota Wild, meanwhile, will enjoy home-ice advantage against former coach Mike Yeo and the St. Louis Blues.

Finally, on the Pacific side, the division champion Anaheim Ducks play the wild-card Calgary Flames, while the Edmonton Oilers will host the defending Western Conference champion San Jose Sharks.

The postseason begins in Ottawa and Montreal on Wednesday, with the Habs back in the playoffs against the Rangers, whom they lost to in the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals, and the Senators, who host the Bruins.

All other teams except for Washington, Toronto, Chicago, Nashville, Anaheim and Calgary play on Wednesday. On Thursday, the Capitals and Maple Leafs play in Washington, the Blackhawks host the Predators, and the Ducks host the Flames.

Nine of the 16 playoff-qualifying teams have a different coach than the one they started last season with: the Canadiens (Claude Julien), Senators (Guy Boucher), Penguins (Mike Sullivan), Blue Jackets (John Tortorella), Bruins (Bruce Cassidy), Wild (Bruce Boudreau), Blues (Mike Yeo), Ducks (Randy Carlyle) and Flames (Glen Gulutzan).

Toronto and Washington have never faced off in an NHL playoff series.

Bruins rookie defenseman Brandon Carlo’s status remains uncertain after he was injured on a hit from Alex Ovechkin on Saturday.

The Rangers defeated the Penguins 3-2 at home in their regular season finale on Sunday night.

Richard Panik scored one of the best goals of the season for the Chicago Blackhawks in Wednesday night’s 4-1 home victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Watch: Blachawks’ Richard Panik Scores Spectacular Goal vs Penguins

With 24 seconds remaining in the second period, Panik stole the puck from Patric Hornqvist along the wall and noticed Pittsburgh defenseman Egeni Malkin closing in on him, and the winger deftly played the puck off his own skate to beat Malkin. After passing the Penguins defenseman, Panik took a second to aim, then fired a wrist-shot top shelf past goalie Marc-Andre Fleury to give the Blackhawks a 2-1 lead.

Here is the spectacular goal:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1RTWDjugNs

Patrick Kane also scored three goals for Chicago to record his second hat trick in three games. Scott Darling made 36 saves for the Blackhawks (40-18-5), who have now won five straight games and are 10-1-0 in their past 11.

Kane scored his first goal midway through the second period, then added two more late in the third, including an empty-netter with 41 seconds remaining.

“I guess sometimes players get a little streaky,” said Kane, who has seven goals in the past three games, 12 in the past 11. “I don’t think I played my best game tonight, but at the same time, you get opportunities and chances, and you find ways to score goals.”

Rookie Nick Schmaltz had the main assist on Kane’s first two goals. He took the puck from Pittsburgh forward Jake Guentzel on the back-check and then passed ahead to Kane to set up the first one, then sent Kane a nice pass from the slot on the rush for the second.

Schmaltz replaced Artem Anisimov at center after Anisimov exited the game with a lower-body injury early in the second period.

“The last four games he really elevated his game to a different level,” Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said of Schmaltz. “[He was] a big factor again tonight. Great to see him play like that.”

Scott Wilson scored Pittsburgh’s lone goal with 3:00 left in the second. The Penguins (38-16-8) were coming off a 3-2 loss at the Dallas Stars on Tuesday. Marc-Andre Fleury made 25 saves.

Fleury made three quick saves to stop Chicago from taking a 2-0 lead in the second. He deflected a wrist shot by Ryan Hartman at 14:42, dove along the goal line to stop Brent Seabrook’s rebound attempt, and then made a glove save at the right post to deny Panik.

The Penguins next host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday, when the Blackhawks host the New York Islanders.

CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 06: Richard Panik #14 of the Chicago Blackhawks controls the puck against the Arizonia Coyotes at the United Center on December 6, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Coyotes 4-0. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)