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Saad opened last season with the Blackhawks, was returned to his junior squad — the Saginaw Spirit, coached by former Hawk Greg Gilbert — and might have followed Mulvey's path of avoiding the bushes. But during the NHL lockout last fall, Saad played for the Blackhawks' farm club in Rockford, where he excelled. When the Blackhawks finally reported to camp in January, he was ready. Strong, smart and steady, Saad entered Sunday's game with eight goals and a +13 rating.

"This is awesome, playing with this team in front of these fans, skating with two of the best players in the world — Toews and Hossa," says Saad, who was born in Pittsburgh just as the Penguins were winning consecutive Stanley Cups. That first time on skates, at about 2 ½, was emblazoned in his mind. Then he started watching Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr.

"Hockey was it for me," says Saad, who admits to being big when he was little, even as he deflects accusations about being old when he's young. "I played all sports, and was pretty athletic, but I fell in love with hockey."

Saad's father, George, left Syria when he was 18, earned a degree at Columbia University, then furthered his education at the University of Pittsburgh. There, he met his future wife, Sandra, who is Polish. Saad's brother, also George, plays hockey at Penn State and is a teammate of Eddie Olczyk's son, Tommy.

"Dad is my idol," says Saad. "He came to the United States with no money, alone, didn't speak English. He worked hard to build a career and is very good at his profession: industrial engineering, buying and selling commercial real estate. He pursued his dream — to come to America and start a new life. My thought was that if the hockey thing doesn't work out, I can always get an education. He was behind me all the way, and still is."

Saad, who lives alone downtown, professes to be invisible out of uniform — a theory he can't quite slip by Shaw.

"He's famous and he's single," corrects the "Mutt."

"This guy here, he likes to stir it," counters the "Man-Child." "I'm private and I stay off the map."

Steve Larmer tried that too. Then he won the Calder Trophy as best rookie in 1983. His acceptance speech set an indoor record for brevity.

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 04.08.2013

668726 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks first in West to win playoff berth

By Tim Sassone

It was a foregone conclusion that the Blackhawks were going to make the playoffs thanks to their record start, but they made it official Sunday night.

The Hawks became the first team in the Western Conference to clinch a spot in the playoffs when they rallied in the third period with 3 late goals to beat the Nashville Predators 5-3 at the United Center.

It's going to be the Hawks' fifth consecutive playoff appearance, but it's only the first step toward the team's ultimate goal.

"We have one goal, and everyone knows what that goal is," Andrew Shaw said, referring to the Stanley Cup.

"First and foremost our No. 1 goal coming into every season, we want to make the playoffs," captain Jonathan Toews said. "I think that's a huge thing for us."

Goals by Brandon Saad and Toews 55 seconds apart in the third period wiped out a 3-2 Nashville lead.

Saad scored on his own rebound at 9:37 to tie it, and Toews put everything he had into a wrist shot that beat goalie Pekka Rinne off the crossbar at 10:32 on a feed from Patrick Kane behind the net.

Kane beat three Nashville defenders to a loose puck behind the net on the forecheck and spotted Toews coming off the bench at full speed.

"That should be the headline right there because you're not going to see that too often," teased Toews. "I was just kidding. It was a great play by Kaner. I came flying off the bench and he saw me in the slot.

"My first thought was to try and find Saad backdoor because I could hit him kind of going to the net there, but I went against that instinct and shot the puck and it happened to go in."

It was Toews' 19th goal of the season, tying Kane temporarily for the team lead. But Kane added an empty netter with 32 seconds to play.

"He always finds a way," Toews said. "But it doesn't matter. We'll take that extra one for a little insurance. It was pretty close (Saturday) trying to protect that 1-goal lead for a long time."

It was a crushing loss for the Predators in their quest to make the playoffs in the West. It was their third loss in a row and sixth in seven games.

"We've just got to play hard and see what happens," Nashville coach Barry Trotz said. "Chances are very remote, but you've got to play hard. You're not going to do anybody any favors if you don't. You just embarrass yourself."

David Legwand said it's no time to give up.

"We're in a do-or-die situation," Legwand said. "But we've got to obviously move on and get a win Tuesday."

It was 2-2 heading to the third period when Legwand scored at 6:54 to put the Predators ahead. The Hawks took over from there.

"We're certainly pleased that it's occurred," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said of clinching a playoff berth. "We've had a good year up to date. We're very happy with what we accomplished, but we still want to keep trying to get better in games.

"How we play and playing the right way is going to be what we're stressing the last 10 games."

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 04.08.2013

668727 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks’ Shaw even provides some comic relief

By Tim Sassone

Centering the fourth line Sunday night, Andrew Shaw had a special game with a goal, an assist and 2 hits.

The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Shaw also supplied some comic relief in the first period by mixing it up with 6-7, 243-pound Nashville defenseman Hal Gill.

"Actually, (Brandon) Bollig was saying if you guys are going to go I'll go get Shaw a stepladder," Shaw said jokingly. "I'll always stick up for myself, no matter who it is."

The incident came when Shaw was battling for position in front of the net.

"I was just kind of battling for space in front of the net and I tried to get low on him," Shaw said. "He's a big boy and he didn't like it. I didn't like it either, so I thought I'd swing back."

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville praised Shaw for his play but wondered what he was thinking by messing with Gill.

"I think he's definitely not in the right weight class there," Quenneville said.

What goalie controversy?

There's no goalie controversy … not yet, anyway.

The Hawks' No. 1 job still belongs to Corey Crawford despite coach Joel Quenneville's decision to come back with Ray Emery on Sunday against Nashville, partly as a reward for his 1-0 shutout of the Predators on Saturday.

"He's coming off a rock-solid win and deserves to get some consideration to get right back in there," Quenneville said.

Both goalies have nearly identical numbers: Emery is now 14-1-0 with a 1.95 goals-against average and .923 save percentage (before Sunday), while Crawford is 15-4-4 with a 2.01 goals-against average and .922 save percentage.

Quenneville still maintains he does not need to have a No. 1 goaltender going into the playoffs.

"I would think all that stuff will get resolved on how we're going," he said. "The decisions will be made by what's going on."

Quenneville was asked if he would consider playing both his goalies in the postseason. "You never know," he said. "I don't want to say no. We'll see. I'm not worried about it right now."

Sharp on Tuesday?

Patrick Sharp will be accompanying the team to Minnesota for Tuesday's game, Joel Quenneville said, but he hasn't been ruled in or out.

Sharp missed his 14th straight game Sunday with his injured left shoulder.

Meanwhile, Dave Bolland sat for the second game in a row with a foot injury Quenneville doesn't consider serious.

"Sharpie is really close," Quenneville said. "We expect him (back) here this week. We'll see with Bolly. We don't think it's serious.

"It will be nice to get (Sharp) going here. We probably added a few days here to his time away. He's been skating well and he wants to play. We look forward to getting him in the lineup because it gives us a lot more options."

Killing them off:

The Hawks are 17-for-17 in penalty kills in the last nine games.

"I think the guys have been working well together," Quenneville said. "Krugs and Fro (Marcus Kruger and Michael Frolik) have been a good pair all year long and they've been getting the bulk of the duty.

"It goes from that. I think whether it's up front or the back end, the goalie at the end of the day has to help out as well."

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 04.08.2013

668728 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks host 'Hockey Fights Cancer Night'

Nina Falcone

After shutting out the Predators on Saturday, the Blackhawks will return home and face Nashville again for the third time in seven days. Catch all the action on Comcast SportsNet, beginning with Blackhawks Pregame Live at 5:30.

The Blackhawks will look to go undefeated against the Predators as these two teams face each other for the fourth and final time this season. But before they do that, the Blackhawks will do a little something special for some of their most heroic fans.

Prior to the start of tonight's matchup, the Blackhawks will host "Hockey Fights Cancer Night". The team has partnered with the Make-a-Wish and Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer foundations to recognize seven local children whose wish is to meet their Blackhawks heroes. The team will wear special pregame jerseys while broadcasters and coaches wear lavender ties, all to be autographed and auctioned off to raise funds for Chicago Blackhawks Charities and various cancer research organizations.

For those of you attending tonight's game, autographed pucks will be available for sale throughout the United Center concourse. The proceeds, as well as the funds raised during tonight's silent auction, will all go toward the organizations as well.

Join the conversation during tonight's matchup by using #HawksTalk on Twitter, and don't forget to keep up with the latest team-related social media trends on Blackhawks Pulse. If you would like to bid on tonight's pregame gear and support cancer research, visit the Blackhawks' website.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.08.2013

668729 Chicago Blackhawks

Sharp, Bolland out for Hawks; Emery starts in net

April 7, 2013, 4:30 pm

Patrick Sharp and Dave Bolland are out tonight and Ray Emery gets the second consecutive start when the Chicago Blackhawks host the Nashville Predators tonight at the United Center.

Sharp is close to returning from a left-shoulder injury, and coach Joel Quenneville said Sharp could travel to Minnesota with the team tomorrow. Bolland, who’s out with a lower-body injury, is more questionable for taking that trip. Quenneville said he doesn’t believe Bolland’s injury is serious.

Meanwhile, Emery will get his second consecutive start today, somewhat of a reward for his 20-stop, 1-0 shutout of the Predators on Saturday afternoon.

“He’s coming off a rock-solid win and deserves consideration to get right back in there,” Quenneville said.

The Blackhawks and Predators are meeting for the third time in just under a week. The Blackhawks have won the first three matchups this season, including two shutouts in Nashville (Corey Crawford notched a 3-0 victory in February, and Emery yesterday).

The Predators have gone 1-3-2 in their last six games. Mike Fisher (hand) did not make the trip to Chicago, according to the Tennessean. Austin Watson was an emergency call-up from Milwaukee today.

Pekka Rinne is expected to start tonight against the Blackhawks.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.08.2013

668730 Chicago Blackhawks

Toews leads Blackhawks over Predators

April 7, 2013, 8:30 pm

The ultimate goal for the Chicago Blackhawks this regular season is gaining home-ice advantage through the postseason. They at least secured that postseason spot on Sunday.

Brandon Saad and Jonathan Toews scored within 55 seconds of each other, as the Blackhawks beat the Nashville Predators 5-3 at the United Center. The Blackhawks, who now have 62 points atop the Western Conference, clinched a fifth-consecutive postseason berth with the victory.

“Obviously, at the start of the year the goal is to make the playoffs, and then we know anything can happen,” said Duncan Keith, who finished plus-3 tonight. “We’ve given ourselves a chance now.”

Patrick Kane scored an empty-netter to seal the game. Bryan Bickell scored his second goal in as many games and Andrew Shaw scored his eighth of the season. Ray Emery stopped 19-of-22 his second victory in as many games. Pekka Rinne was once again busy in the loss, stopping 35-of-39.

But the Blackhawks weren’t busting out the champagne for just making the playoffs. It’s a start, it’s a spot, but right now, that’s it.

“It’s a good feeling, being the first team (this season) to clinch a playoff spot. But we’ve done a good job of never thinking too far ahead this year and taking it one game at a time,” said Toews, whose 19th goal of the season proved to be the game-winner. “We’ll keep going forward with that mindset that we’re not going to focus on something that doesn’t really matter right now.”

What matters, ultimately, is the Blackhawks continuing to play the way they have to get to this point. After a few so-so third periods, the Blackhawks returned to four lines rolling/playing-to-the-end in their weekend games vs. Nashville. The Predators’ style, and their stellar goaltender Rinne, force teams to be patient. In both games, the Blackhawks were. All four lines had their moments tonight, from the fourth line opening the scoring to the top line finishing.

“We create energy that way,” Shaw said of the four lines going tonight. “Every line’s rested by the time they’re up again. If we keep doing that, we’ll be fine.”

David Legwand put the Predators up 3-2 about seven minutes into the third period. But the Blackhawks’ top line had the final say. Saad tied it on his second-chance shot near the midway point of the third, and Toews had a perfectly placed shot, just under the crossbar, less than a minute later for a 4-3 lead.

[WATCH -- Highlights: Blackhawks down Predators for second straight night]

“We’ve had a good year to date and we’re happy with what we’ve accomplished,” coach Joel Queneville said. “But we still want to get better in games, and that’s the important thing. Finishing as high as we can is a priority as well. That’s where the motivation is.”

The Blackhawks have unfinished business in the playoffs, which has ended very quickly these past two seasons. They secured their spot in them tonight. But improving, honing and perfecting are on the docket now. They want to go into the postseason strong – and make a strong showing once they get there.

“I think the motivation stays the same as it has been the last little while: We want to keep building as a team, improving on something every single game,” Toews said. “It’s a little ways to go before playoff time and if we keep working on our game the way we have, I think we’re going to be a confident team going into the playoffs regardless of who we get in the first round.”

Tracey Myers

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.08.2013

668731 Chicago Blackhawks

Sharp, Bolland out for Hawks; Emery starts in net

April 7, 2013, 4:30 pm

Patrick Sharp and Dave Bolland are out tonight and Ray Emery gets the second consecutive start when the Chicago Blackhawks host the Nashville Predators tonight at the United Center.

Sharp is close to returning from a left-shoulder injury, and coach Joel Quenneville said Sharp could travel to Minnesota with the team tomorrow. Bolland, who’s out with a lower-body injury, is more questionable for taking that trip. Quenneville said he doesn’t believe Bolland’s injury is serious.

Meanwhile, Emery will get his second consecutive start today, somewhat of a reward for his 20-stop, 1-0 shutout of the Predators on Saturday afternoon.

“He’s coming off a rock-solid win and deserves consideration to get right back in there,” Quenneville said.

The Blackhawks and Predators are meeting for the third time in just under a week. The Blackhawks have won the first three matchups this season, including two shutouts in Nashville (Corey Crawford notched a 3-0 victory in February, and Emery yesterday).

The Predators have gone 1-3-2 in their last six games. Mike Fisher (hand) did not make the trip to Chicago, according to the Tennessean. Austin Watson was an emergency call-up from Milwaukee today.

Pekka Rinne is expected to start tonight against the Blackhawks.

Tracey Myers

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.08.2013

668732 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks host 'Hockey Fights Cancer Night'

April 7, 2013, 11:45 am

After shutting out the Predators on Saturday, the Blackhawks will return home and face Nashville again for the third time in seven days. Catch all the action on Comcast SportsNet, beginning with Blackhawks Pregame Live at 5:30.

The Blackhawks will look to go undefeated against the Predators as these two teams face each other for the fourth and penultimate time this season. But before they do that, the Blackhawks will do a little something special for some of their most heroic fans.

Prior to the start of tonight's matchup, the Blackhawks will host "Hockey Fights Cancer Night". The team has partnered with the Make-a-Wish and Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer foundations to recognize seven local children whose wish is to meet their Blackhawks heroes. The team will wear special pregame jerseys while broadcasters and coaches wear lavender ties, all to be autographed and auctioned off to raise funds for Chicago Blackhawks Charities and various cancer research organizations.

For those of you attending tonight's game, autographed pucks will be available for sale throughout the United Center concourse. The proceeds, as well as the funds raised during tonight's silent auction, will all go toward the organizations as well.

Join the conversation during tonight's matchup by using #HawksTalk on Twitter, and don't forget to keep up with the latest team-related social media trends on Blackhawks Pulse. If you would like to bid on tonight's pregame gear and support cancer research, visit the Blackhawks' website.

Nina Falcone

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 04.08.2013

668733 Colorado Avalanche

Gabe Landeskog has support of teammates, Avalanche organization

By Mike Chambers

The Denver Post

Posted: 04/08/2013 12:01:00 AM MDT

In more games than not, and far more than he would like, Gabe Landeskog said being the youngest captain in NHL history has felt like being "snowed in." The rookie Avalanche captain and second-year left wing, 20, repeatedly used those words in discussing how he has suffered in a season that has gone all wrong for himself and his teammates.

"I have been taking every loss more personally," Landeskog said. "In that way, it's easy to get too snowed in on a loss ... and it prevents you from moving on."

Landeskog, who suffered a concussion four games into the season, has just seven goals and 12 points in 26 games, and the Avs have a league-low 29 points. Landeskog is pointless in his last six games, with a minus-4 rating, and Colorado has lost 12 of its last 14.

"I'm not one to use the captaincy as an excuse for how I've been playing," said Landeskog, who won the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year after producing a team-high 22 goals last season. "There have been more things to divide my focus upon, off the ice, more responsibility, a little more pressure of being a go-to guy, but for me, it hasn't been an excuse — at all.

"But it's easier to take (losing) personally than if I didn't have the C," he said, referring to the captain's insignia. "Again, I don't want to blame anything on the C. I've enjoyed having it, and I have learned a lot. If anything, I have realized you can get too snowed in on the captaincy, instead of being yourself. It's hard when the team isn't doing well. It's been hard to know what to do, and when to do it. I knew from Day One I wasn't going to be a perfect captain, but I believe I can still be a good one."

Avs coach Joe Sacco and legendary Colorado center and current executive advisor Joe Sakic — who withstood a 16-50-14 season in his first season as co-captain of the Quebec Nordiques in 1990-01 — both said Landeskog has done nothing wrong and will continue to serve as captain next season and beyond. In fact, they both say they admire how Landeskog has handled so much adversity.

"We don't want him to change at all, because he's captain because he's captain material," Sakic said Sunday. "He's just a tremendous leader. We know he's got the utmost respect from everybody in that dressing room, the coaching staff and everybody in the organization. He's just a kid who possesses all the qualities of leadership."

Sakic said Landeskog's on-ice production can't be fairly judged because of the concussion that forced him to miss 11 games and not participate in any physical activity for two weeks. Overall, this season reminds Sakic of his third NHL season in 1990-91, when he served as co-captain with defenseman Steven Finn.

Sakic became the lone captain in 1992-93, leading the Nordiques to a 42-17-10 record at age 23 with like-aged teammates Mats Sundin, Owen Nolan, Adam Foote, Mike Ricci and Scott Young. Three years later, the franchise won the Stanley Cup in the first season after moving to Colorado.

"The way that the year's gone, and with me being in that position in a long time ago, going through it and end up winning a Cup, it's obviously a new learning experience," Sakic said of Landeskog. "It's easy to be a front-runner and everything, but it's how you come through the tough times that really builds character. ... He'll come through it and he'll be fine.

Landeskog's teammates also have his back.

"It's tough coming in as a captain at 20 years old, and for a losing team it's that much tougher. You tend to want to do too much, or take too much (responsibility) on your shoulders," said backup goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere, who won the Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in separate seasons with the Anaheim Ducks. "It's a difficult situation for him, but I think, just like the rest of his team, it's a learning experience. He's learning the ropes, and we all know he's going to be a great captain in the future."

Defenseman Shane O'Brien said: "I think Landy has done a great job. The guys respect him. It's not easy being 20 years old and the captain of an NHL team, especially one that's losing. I tease him, but he's mature beyond his years. Landy is still learning what it takes to be a captain, but he's going to be a captain for a long time."

Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357, mchambers@denverpost.com or twitter.com/mchambersdp

Denver Post: LOADED: 04.08.2013

668734 Colorado Avalanche

Calgary Flames at Colorado Avalanche preview

Posted: 04/08/2013 12:01:00 AM MDT

Spotlight on Mike Cammalleri: The 5-foot-9 Flames center scored twice in a 4-3 victory over the visiting Avalanche on March 13. But he hasn't scored in the Flames' ensuing five games, all losses. They have fallen to 29th place in the NHL, only one point ahead of the last-place Avalanche. Cammalleri, 30, played three years at the University of Michigan and is in his second NHL stint with Calgary. He also has played for the Los Angeles Kings, the team that drafted him, and for the Montreal Canadiens. He scored a career-high 39 goals for the Flames in 2008-09 and has 208 for his NHL career, plus a whopping 17

playoff goals in 32 games.