The Chicago Blackhawks fell 4-1 to the Nashville Predators to be swept out of the playoffs in four game in the first round.
In Hawks prospect news, Alex DeBrincat and the Erie Otters open the Western Conference Final in the Ontario Hockey League playoffs with Game 1 against Owen Sound on Friday in Erie. Matthew Highmore and Nathan Noel also will play Game 1 on Friday at home of their Quebec Major Junior Hockey League semifinal series when Saint John hosts Chicoutimi.
**Preds beat Hawks with more speed than they could handle (SCH)
**RECAP: Hawks lose Game 4, swept in first round by Preds (SCH)
**New reality beckons for Hawks after merciless sweep by Preds (Chicago Sun Times)
**Hawks never could get in offensive flow against Preds (Chicago Tribune)
**Quenneville on Hawks' inability to fight back: 'That's on me' (Chicago Tribune)
**Another first-round exit ‘nullifies’ Hawks’ regular-season success (The Athletic)
**Why the Hawks were eliminated in the first round…again (The Athletic)
**Norm Maciver could leave Hawks for Sabres GM job, per report (SCH)
**Hawks’ diligence paid off in Kero’s unlikely journey to NHL (The Athletic)
**Wild’s Coyle steps up his game in playoffs (Star Tribune)
**Kiszla: Avs GM Sakic would be crazy to let another NHL team hire DU coach Jim Montgomery (Denver Post)
NHL
**Who should be the next Sabres GM and head coach?