SO Win Brings Avs Into Reach of Playoffs

Blackhawks beat Flyers, end 49-year title drought with OT goal

(AP) - The Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup last night, beating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 in overtime in Game 6 for their first championship since 1961. Patrick Kane scored the winning goal about 4:10 into overtime, and no one but the Blackhawks appeared to realize what was going on for a few frozen moments. The goal light never went on, but that didn't stop most of the Blackhawks from storming the ice and mobbing each other in celebration. More»

Chicago falls to Detroit on iconic home turf

(NEWSER) - Two of the NHL's oldest franchises got together for some old-school outdoors hockey today, with the Detroit Red Wings beating the Chicago Blackhawks 6-4, the Chicago Tribune reports. The league's second annual Winter Classic, staged in a converted Wrigley Field, threw the players plenty of curveballs, from chilly temperatures to last-minute ice repair. “Holy Cow. It’s Cold,” one sign read, a nod to Cubs announcer Harry Caray. More»

10 reasons for fans outside of Canada to focus on hockey

(NEWSER) - That time is upon us again: the season in which we ignore most of what's going on in the NHL. But this year it might behoove sports fans to pay attention, writes Maxim. Here's why:

• Detroit needs some good news, right? The champs got even stronger.
• Finally, all of the 'Original Six' teams are strong again. Yes, even the Blackhawks. Look out for Montreal, celebrating its 100th birthday.

Annual outdoor game coming to Chicago, with Blackhawks to face old rival Detroit

(NEWSER) - It appears Chicago’s famed Wrigley Field will host an outdoor NHL game next year, after competitor Yankee Stadium was deemed unsuitable “for a variety of reasons,” the Tribune reports. The hometown Blackhawks would play the rival Detroit Red Wings in the third edition of the open-air contest, played in 2003 in Edmonton and this year in Buffalo. More»

Franzen nets second hat trick of series

(NEWSER) - Johan Franzen outscored the Colorado Avalanche by himself. His second hat trick in three games fueled the Detroit Red Wings' 8-2 rout last night that completed a sweep of the Avalanche. Franzen needed just 10 playoff games to score 11 goals and break the Red Wings' record for most goals in one postseason, which was held by three players, including Brett Hull. More»