The Chicago Blackhawks open the playoffs against the Nashville Predators tonight. Artem Anisimov is st to return from injury, while Michal Rozsival is unavailable as a depth option after surgery to repair facial fractures suffered in the game against Anaheim.
In Hawks prospect news, Alex DeBrincat scored in a 3-1 victory over the London Knights. The Saint John Sea Dogs (Nathan Noel, Matthew Highmore) took a 3-0 series lead over the Val-d’Or Foreurs.
HAWKS
**Blackhawks don’t have the NHL’s best-selling jersey this season (SCH)
**Tootoo on Hawks-Predators: ‘It finally feels great to be on the right side’ (SCH)
**NHL playoff predictions 2017: Confidence high in Blackhawks, Capitals (SCH)
**Six X-factors that may decide the Blackhawks-Predators series (Chicago Sun Times)
**Will a deeper defense let Keith play fewer playoff minutes?