Jonathan Toews Retires from NHL

Jonathan Toews (North Dakota) has called it a career.  

Toews, 38, announced his retirement last week after playing last season with his hometown Winnipeg Jets, where he recorded 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points in 82 outings. He skated 16 full seasons in the NHL, all but one with the Chicago Blackhawks, whom he captained to three Stanley Cup titles after they drafted him third overall in 2006. He tallied 383-529—912 points in 1,149 NHL regular-season games overall with Chicago and Winnipeg, and added 45-74—119 points in 137 Stanley Cup Playoff contests, all with Chicago, while leading the Blackhawks to NHL titles in 2010, 2013, 2015, their first championships since 1961.

The Winnipeg native helped Team Canada to gold medals at the IIHF World Junior Championship in 2006 and 2007, and at the Olympic Winter Games in 2010 and 2014. He also skated in two IIHF World Championships, and won a World Cup in 2016. As an NHL player,  he also won the Conn Smythe Trophy as Stanley Cup Playoff MVP in 2010, the Selke Trophy as best defensive forward in 2013, and the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2015. He sat out the 2023-24 and 2025-25 campaigns due to illness.

After prepping at Shattuck St. Mary's in Minnesota, Toews played two collegiate seasons at North Dakota, collecting 40-45—85 points in 76 games while helping UND to the 2006 WCHA conference championship and two NCAA Frozen Fours. He turned professional in 2007-08 with Chicago, was named Blackhawks captain the following season, and never a played game in the minor leagues.

Troy Murray 1962-2026

 

Long-time NHL veteran Troy Murray (North Dakota) passed away last week at the age of 63 after battling cancer the last five years.

A 100-point scorer in the Alberta Junior Hockey League, Murray played two seasons at North Dakota, tallying 55 goals and 120 points in 80 games, while also leading the then-Fighting Sioux to the 1982 NCAA title. He also captained Team Canada to the gold medal at the 1982 World Junior Championship. 

Drafted 57th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1980, the Calgary native went on to a 16-year NHL career with Chicago, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Pittsburgh and Colorado, where he collected 230 goals and 354 assists for 584 points to go with 875 penalty minutes in 914 career NHL regular-season outings, including a 45-goal, 99-point season with Chicago in 1985-86 He also added 17-26—43 points and 145 PIM in 113 career Stanley Cup Playoff appearances, and won the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 1996.

Murray, who was awarded the Selke Trophy in 1985-86 with Chicago as the NHL's best defensive forward, retired following the 1996-97 campaign where he registered 21-29—50 points in 81 games with the IHL's Chicago Wolves. He went on to be a longtime studio analyst and color commentator with the Blackhawks on both radio and TV, and called Chicago's three Stanley Cup championships in 2010, 2013 and 2015. 

BU's Kaplan Debuts with NHL's Flyers

Devin Kaplan became the newest forward from the 2024-25 Boston University men's hockey team to make his NHL debut this month. 

Kaplan, 21, a junior right wing who signed with the Philadelphia Flyers earlier this week, made his big league debut last night in the Flyers' season-ending 5-4 loss to visiting Buffalo, recording one hit and one shot attempt in just over 12 minutes of ice time. The Bridgewater, N.J. native spent the last three years at BU after being drafted 69th overall by Philadelphia in 2022, recording 25 goals and 39 assists for 64 points in 115 collegiate outings with the Terriers. 

Quinn Hutson, who won the Tim Taylor Award this season as the top rookie in men's college hockey, has played in two games with the Edmonton Oilers after signing with the reigning NHL Western Conference champions as a free agent. The junior right wing from Barrington, Ill. notched 56-58—114 points in 117 games with the Terriers. Hutson, 23, also led BU in scoring this season, with career highs of 23-27—50 points in 38 contests.

Ryan Greene, who captained the Terriers this season as a junior, signed with the Chicago Blackhawks and played in two games with the Original Six franchise that drafted him 57th overall in 2022. The Paradise, Nfld. native, who turns 22 in October, collected 34-71—105 points 118 career appearances with BU as a center.

Kaplan, Huston, and Greene helped BU to three consecutive NCAA Frozen Fours in their college careers, including this year's national title game, plus the 2023 Hockey East regular-season and conference championships, along with this year's Beanpot Tournament crown. In all, they guided the Terriers to an overall record of 81-35-4 over the last three years.

In addition, senior center Matt Caponi, who played this season at BU after skating for three years with Merrimack, signed with Bakersfield (AHL) and has played in one game with the Condors. Drafted 216th overall by Edmonton in 2023, the 21-year-old Mansfield, Mass. native put up 6-18—24 points in 40 games in his lone campaign as a Terrier. 

Also signing recently was BU sophomore left wing Shane Lachance, whose NHL rights had earlier been traded from Edmonton to the New Jersey Devils. LaChance, 21, from Andover, Mass., registered 25-32—57 points in 80 career games with the Terriers, including a goal in the 2025 NCAA championship game, and has been assigned by the Devils to Utica (AHL). 

Three Rising Sophomores Sign with NHL Clubs

Two All-America selections and one national champion have moved on from college hockey after just one season apiece, surrendering their remaining NCAA eligibility in doing so.

Macklin Celebrini (Boston University), who claimed the Hobey Baker Memorial Award and was also an AHCA First Team All-America choice as a 17-year-old, has signed with the San Jose Sharks, who chose him first overall at last month's NHL Draft in Las Vegas after he turned 18. A native of Vancouver, Celebrini tallied 32 goals and 30 assists for 62 points last season to lead BU in scoring, while also earning Hockey East Rookie of the Year and Hockey East Player of the Year accolades. The six-foot, 190-pound center also helped BU to the Beanpot Tournament title game, the Hockey East championship game, and the NCAA Frozen Four while personally earning Hockey East First Team All-Star, Hockey East All-Rookie Team, and national rookie of the year recognition, among other tributes.

Artyom Levshunov (Michigan State) also decided to sign with an NHL club following being drafted last month, when he went second overall to the Chicago Blackhawks. A 6-foot-2, 198-pound defenseman from Zhlobin, Belarus, Levshunov recorded 9-26—35 points in 38 outings last season in helping MSU to its first Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles, along with the Spartans' first NCAA tournament victory since 2008. He also earned AHCA Second Team All-America status, along with All-Big Ten First Team, All-Big Ten Freshman Team, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors.

Leaving for the NHL after winning this year's national title was Miko Matikka (Denver), who signed with the Utah Hockey Club that drafted him 67th overall in 2022 when the organization was still based in Arizona. A native of Helsinki, Finland, he registered 20-13—33 points in 43 appearances in helping DU to a record 10th NCAA championship. A 6-foot-3, 201-pound right wing, Matikka, 20, was a unanimous selection to the NCHC All-Rookie Team, and was also a four-time NCHC Rookie of the Week.

All three players signed standard three-year entry-level contracts with their respective NHL clubs, and all three also participated recently in development camps with those organizations.

UND's Toews Goes Out In Style With NHL's Blackhawks After 16 Seasons

Jonathan Toews (North Dakota) has played his final game for the Chicago Blackhawks. The team captain and three-time Stanley Cup champion, who will not be offered a new contract by the Blackhawks, closed out his Chicago career with a goal in a 5-4 overtime loss to the visiting Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night at the United Center.

A Winnipeg native, Toews, 34, has been plagued by injury and illness the last two years, including COVID, and was limited to 53 games this year in which he tallied 15 goals and 16 assists for 31 points. Drafted third overall by Chicago in 2006 following his freshman season at North Dakota, he made his NHL debut in 2007-08 and has spent his entire pro career with the Blackhawks, while also never playing a game in the minor leagues. 

In 1.067 career NHL regular-season games, Toews has tallied 372-511—883 points, to go along with 607 PIM. In 137 career Stanley Cup Playoff contests, he has notched 45-74—119 points and 84 PIM, while captaining Chicago to Stanley Cup titles in 2010, 2013 and 2015. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as NHL playoff MVP in 2010, and has also accumulated a total of six gold medals while representing Canada at the World Junior Championship, the World Championship, the Olympic Winter Games, and the World Cup of Hockey.

Toews played two NCAA seasons at UND, collecting 40-45—85 points and 32 PIM in 76 outings while leading the then-Fighting Sioux to back-to-back NCAA Frozen Four semifinal appearances, following two junior campaigns at Shattuck St. Mary's in Minnesota. It is not known at present if he will retire from playing, or try to continue his hockey career elsewhere.

Philadelphia defenseman Justin Braun (UMass), who skated for the Flyers, San Jose Sharks and New York Rangers in a 13-year NHL career that spanned from 2010 to 2023, definitively played his final NHL game on Thursday night in Chicago, announcing his retirement afterwards. Braun, 36, from Minneapolis, totaled 34-165—199 points and 317 PIM in 842 career NHL regular-season games, and added 3-13—16 points in 119 Stanley Cup Playoff outings. 

Drafted 201st overall by San Jose following his freshman year at UMass, where he helped the Minutemen to an NCAA tournament berth, Braun patrolled the blueline in Amherst from 2006 to 2010. He registered 23-64—87 points and 120 PIM in 150 career NCAA games, after prepping two junior seasons with Green Bay (USHL).

Michigan State's Keith Retires after 17 NHL Seasons

Former NCAA defenseman Duncan Keith (Michigan State) has hung up his professional skates for good. The Winnipeg native, who skated 17 seasons in the NHL and won three Stanley Cups, has called it a playing career after 1,256 regular-season contests and 151 Stanley Cup Playoff appearances.

Keith, 38, played 16 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, before spending the 2021-22 campaign with Edmonton, where he helped the Oilers to the Western Conference final for the first time since 2006. He finished with 106 goals and 540 assists for 646 points in NHL regular-season competition, while adding 19-72⁠—91 points in postseason play. 

Keith was a member of Chicago's Stanley Cup championship teams in 2010, 2013, and 2015, and was also the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoff MVP in 2015 after recording three goals and 21 points in 23 playoff games that spring. He also served as an assistant captain from 2007 to 2021 for the Blackhawks, who prior to 2010 had not won the Cup since 1961.

After playing two years of junior hockey with Penticton (BCHL), Keith skated in 56 games over two years with Michigan State, including the outdoor Cold War contest in fall 2001 at Spartan Stadium. He had six goals and 24 points in his short time with the Spartans, before joining Kelowna (WHL) for the remainder of the 2002-03 campaign, where he tallied 11-35⁠—46 points in 37 outings while also helping the Rockets to a Memorial Cup berth. 

Drafted 54th overall by Chicago after his freshman year at MSU, he spent two seasons with Norfolk (AHL), registering 16-35⁠—51 points in all in regular-season action. He then moved up to the NHL for good in 2005-06.

A two-time winner of the Norris Trophy (2010, 2014) as the NHL's best defenseman, Keith also represented his native Canada several times in international competition, twice at the World Championships and twice at the Olympic Winter Games. He was also a member of Canada's Olympic gold medal squads in both 2010 and 2014.

Tony Esposito 1943-2021

Former NCAA/NHL netminder and hall of famer Tony Esposito (Michigan Tech) passed away Tuesday at age 78 from pancreatic cancer.

Esposito, from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., starred at MTU from 1964 to 1967. According to school records, he went 38-10-3 in 51 career appearances with the Huskies, while also posting a 2.55 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage. A three-time All-America selection, he also led the Huskies to the 1965 NCAA national title in Providence, posting victories over both Brown and Boston College for MTU's second-ever national crown. He earned NCAA all-tournament honors that season, and was also a three-time All-WCHA first-team selection and a member of the conference's All-Decade Team of the 1960s.

A member of Montreal's 1969 Stanley Cup championship team, Esposito is best known for backstopping the Chicago Blackhawks from 1969 to 1984. In 15 NHL seasons, he went 423-306-151 with 76 shutouts in 886 NHL regular-season contests, and he also played in 99 Stanley Cup playoff contests with 45 victories and six shutouts. He also won the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie in his first full professional campaign before leading Chicago to within one win of the 1971 Stanley Cup title the following year. A six-time NHL all-star and a three-time choice for the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender, he represented Canada at the 1972 Summit Series and the 1977 World Championship, and the U.S. at the 1981 Canada Cup.

Esposito's iconic No. 35 was retired by the Blackhawks in 1988, the same year he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. In 2017, he was named of the 100 greatest NHL players of all time.

Caggiula, Garrison Dealt to Blackhawks by Oilers

Drake Caggiula (North Dakota) is on the move. 

The former Fighting Hawk forward, who led UND to the 2016 NCAA title, was dealt by the Edmonton Oilers along with defenseman Jason Garrison (Minnesota-Duluth) to the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday. In return, Edmonton received defensemen Brandon Manning and Robin Norell, according to NHL.com.

Caggiula, 24, who signed with the Oilers as free agent in 2016, has 27 goals and 22 assists for 49 points in 156 career NHL contests, all with Edmonton. He has posted seven goals and 11 points in 29 games so far this season.

In 162 career NCAA appearances with North Dakota from 2012 to 2016, Caggiula amassed a total of 62-65—127 points, including a career-high line of 25-26—51 points as a senior when he earned NCAA Frozen Four MVP honors in spearheading UND's run to its first NCAA title in 16 years. He tallied four goals and an assist in the Fighting Hawks' two Frozen Four wins over Denver and Quinnipiac, and scored twice in the national title game in Tampa.

Garrison, 34, who helped the Tampa Bay Lightning to the 2015 Stanley Cup Final where it fell in six games to Chicago, has posted 49-111—160 points in 555 career NHL regular-season starts with Florida, Vancouver, Tampa Bay, Vegas and Edmonton. He has one goal in 17 NHL contests so far this season, and in three years (2005 to 2008) at UMD accumulated 9-20—29 points in 87 contests for the Bulldogs before he signed with Florida as a free agent in 2008.

It is not yet known if Caggiula and Garrison will skate for Chicago against the Boston Bruins in the 2019 NHL Winter Classic at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind. on Tuesday (1 p.m. ET, NBC TV).

WMU's Foster Shines in Emergency NHL Debut

Emergency goaltender Scott Foster (Western Michigan) made his NHL debut on Thursday night, stopping all seven shots he faced in the final 14 minutes of play as his Chicago Blackhawks defeated the visiting Winnipeg Jets, 6-2.

Foster, 36, an accountant who played in 55 NCAA games at WMU from 2002 to 2006 and currently skates in a Chicago-area senior league, was pressed into service after starting goaltender Collin Delia (Merrimack), who also made his NHL debut in the same game, could not finish the contest due to cramps. Foster actually wore his WMU mask in his first professional appearance, and ultimately earned First Star of the Game accolades.

The Blackhawks' other goaltender on the night, Anton Forsberg, sustained a lower-body injury in pre-game warm-ups and was unable to play. Chicago forward Dylan Sikura (Northeastern), who signed with the Blackhawks earlier this week, registered his first two career assists on Thursday in his own inaugural NHL appearance.

The Blackhawks, who most recently won the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015, have been eliminated from playoff contention for this season.

Wood Hat Trick Boosts Devils Over Hawks

Miles Wood tallied his first career hat trick and added an assist last night as the New Jersey Devils rebounded from a 4-1 deficit to defeat the host Chicago Blackhawks, 7-5.

Wood tallied the Devils' first goal of the game on Sunday at the United Center, a power-play goal, to forge a 1-1 first-period tie at the time. His second score then pulled the Devils within 4-2 late in the opening stanza.

Wood assisted on a second-period goal by Brian Gibbons (Boston College) to make it 6-4 for New Jersey, while his third goal, which came on the power play in the third period, was the game's final tally. Andy Green (Miami) had a goal and an assist for New Jersey, while Keith Kinkaid (Union) made 39 saves in net for the Devils for the victory.

The 6-foot-2 Wood played one season (2015-16) at BC, tallying 10 goals and 25 assists for 35 points to go with 76 penalty minutes while helping the Eagles to the NCAA Frozen Four in Tampa. He signed with New Jersey, which drafted him 100th overall in 2013, immediately following his sole college campaign.

The son of former NHLer and Yale University graduate Randy Wood, the younger Wood now has 6-3—9 points to go with 21 PIM in 16 games this season for New Jersey. In 77 career NHL games, all with the Devils, he has now recorded 14-12—26 points and 107 PIM.

The Buffalo-born Wood, 22, is part of a BC alumni contingent with the Devils this season that also includes Brian Boyle, Gibbons, Jimmy Hayes, Steve Santini and Corey Schneider. Devils defenseman Ben Lovejoy also skated one year (2002-03) for the Eagles before transferring to Dartmouth College for his final three NCAA seasons.

Merrimack's Delia Signs with Blackhawks

Merrimack College has lost its most experienced goaltender less than three months before the start of the 2017-18 NCAA campaign.

Rising junior Collin Delia passed up his senior season in North Andover to sign a free agent contract with the NHLs’ Chicago Blackhawks last week. The deal is for two years, according to the Blackhawks’ web site. Delia has taken part in the Blackhawks Prospects Camp in each of the last two seasons.

In three years with the Warriors, the 6-foot-2, 200-lb. native of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. fashioned a 17-20-3 record in 56 collegiate appearances to go with a 2.60 goals-against average, a .907 save percentage, and four shutouts, according to USCHO.com.

Delia finished ninth among NCAA Division I netminders last season with a .927 save percentage over 21 games, while going 9-8-3 with a 2.15 GAA and three shutouts. The Warriors will return rising sophomores Drew Vogler (18 games) and Craig Pantano (one game) in net next season.

Parayko, Blues Oust Blackhawks

Colton Parayko (Alaska Fairbanks) scored his second career postseason goal, and Brian Elliott (Wisconsin) made 31 saves as the St. Louis Blues defeated the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, 3-2, in a deciding first-round Game Seven on Monday night in Missouri.

Jaden Schwartz (Colorado College) and Paul Stastny (Denver) had assists for the Blues, who managed to win the series after surrendering a three games-to-one lead. Stastny's assist came on the winning goal by Troy Brouwer with 11:29 remaining in regulation.

The Blackhawks rebounded from an early 2-0 deficit to knot the contest in the second period, as Jonathan Towes (North Dakota) and Duncan Keith (Michigan State) drew assists on the tying goal by Andrew Shaw. Chicago had claimed the Cup in three of the past six seasons (2010, 2013, 2015).

The Blues, who had been eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in each of the past three years, will now face the Dallas Stars, the top seed in the NHL's Western Conference. The Stars eliminated the Minnesota Wild, four games to two, with a 5-4 victory in Game Six in St. Paul on Sunday.

Three Former NCAA Players Involved in Sharp Trade

Three former NCAA players were involved in Friday’s NHL deal that sent Patrick Sharp (Vermont) and defenseman Stephen Johns (Notre Dame) from the Chicago Blackhawks to the Dallas Stars in exchange for defenseman Trevor Daley and forward Ryan Garbutt (Brown).

Sharp, a member of Chicago’s Stanley Cup championship clubs in 2010, 2013 and 2015, has tallied 249 goals and 277 assists for 526 points in 745 NHL regular-season contests with Chicago and the Philadelphia Flyers, and 43 goals and 81 points in 129 Stanley Cup Playoff appearances with both clubs. The Winnipeg native posted 25-28—53 points in 65 outings with UVM from 2000 to 2002, and was drafted 95th overall by Philadelphia after his freshman campaign with the Catamounts.

Johns, from Ellwood City, Pa., had 4-17—21 points in 71 games in his first professional season in 2014-15 with Rockford (AHL). A [product of the U.S. National team development program, h e played four seasons at Notre Dame, notching 15-42—57 points in 164 outings with the Fighting Irish. Johns also served as an assistant captain as a senior, in Notre Dame’s first season as a member of Hockey East.

Garbutt has tallied 30-40—70 points in 198 career NHL regular-season contests, all with Dallas, plus three goals in six Stanley Cup Playoff outings. The Winnipeg native skated with Brown from 2005 to 2009, collecting 29-29—58 points in 116 games with the Bears.

Keith, Chicago Win Third Stanley Cup in Six Seasons

In the end, it was Michigan State beating Maine on the biggest goal of the Stanley Cup Final to close out the 2014-15 hockey season.

Former MSU defenseman Duncan Keith put home his own rebound against former Black Bear goaltender Ben Bishop with 2:47 remaining in the second period for the game-winning score as the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning, 2-0, in Game 6 on Monday night. The Blackhawks won their third Cup in six seasons, and first at home since 1938.

Patrick Kane closed out the scoring late in the final frame, and Corey Crawford notched the shutout on 25 saves as Chicago again took the Cup in six games. The Hawks did so in 2010 against the Philadelphia Flyers, and then again two years ago versus the Boston Bruins.

Keith was the unanimous selection for the Conn Smythe Trophy as the NHL's playoff MVP, tallying three goals and 18 assists for 21 points in 23 games, while skating more than 700 minutes in the postseason, according to the Associated Press, including over 30 minutes last night. The Winnipeg native skated at MSU from 2001 to 2002, notching 24 points in 56 games for the Spartans, and has also won Olympic gold medals with Canada in 2010 and 2014. 

Keith tied Chris Chelios for the most points by a Blackhawks defenseman in a single postseason. He is also the first defenseman to claim the Conn Smythe since Hall of Fame blueliner Scott Niedermayer did so with Anaheim in 2007, according to NHL.com.

Bishop, who backstopped the Black Bears from 2005 to 2008 and fashioned a 55-35-7 record in NCAA competition, made 30 saves on Monday night at the United Center as the Lightning tried to force a Game 7. He went 1-3-0 in the final, having been lifted in Tampa Bay's Game 2 win for what was finally revealed last night as a groin tear.

The Hawks will celebrate their latest Cup victory with a parade on Thursday, led by captain Jonathan Toews (North Dakota). Other former NCAA players hoisting the Cup with Chicago this spring include Scott Darling (Maine), Patrick Sharp (Vermont) and Trevor van Riemsdyk (New Hampshire).

Chicago Takes 3-2 Lead in Stanley Cup Final

The Chicago Blackhawks are one win from their third Stanley Cup championship in six years.

The visitors held on for a 2-1 win tonight over the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena in Florida in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final. Chicago now leads the best-of-seven series, three games to two, having won the last two games.

Chicago forward Patrick Sharp (Vemont) opened the scoring Saturday with his first goal in 14 games, putting the puck into an empty net after Tampa Bay goaltender Ben Bishop (Maine) came out to play it and collided with defenseman Victor Hedberg in the faceoff circle. It was Sharp's first goal since May 3 against Minnesota in the second round of the NHL playoffs.

The Lightning knotted matters in the second stanza as Jason Garrison (Minnesota-Duluth) set up Valteri Filppula from the left point to the right side; but the Blackhawks went back ahead for good as Antoine Vermette followed up a rebound exactly two minutes into the final frame.

Bishop finished with 27 saves for Tampa Bay, which outshot Chicago, 32-29, but has now lost two consecutive contests for the first time in this series. The Lightning, who won Games 2 and 3, and claimed their only previous Cup in 2004, will attempt to stay alive with a victory in Game 6 on Monday (8 p.m. ET, NBC) at the United Center in Chicago.

The Blackhawks last won a Cup on home ice in 1938. Game 7, if necessary, would be Wednesday night in Tampa.

Blachawks Back in Series with 2-1 Win

Jonathan Toews (North Dakota) and Alex Killorn (Harvard) traded second-period goals, but it was Brandon Saad's third-period tally that won Game Four of the Stanley Cup Final by a 2-1 score for the host Chicago Blackhawks. The series with the Tampa Bay Lightning is now tied at two games apiece. Game Five is scheduled for Saturday night at Amalie Arena in Tampa.

Patrick Sharp (Vermont) assisted on team captain Toews score, Toews' 10th of the postseason, while Killorn's goal, which came just over five minutes later, was his ninth of the playoffs. Pittsburgh native Saad connected on a backhander less than seven minutes into the final frame for the final score.

Tampa Bay outshot Chicago, 25-19, and also outhit the Blackhawks, 46-34, according to NHL.com. Chicago won the faceoff battle, 38-20, as both teams went a combined 0-for-7 on the power play. Goaltender Ben Bishop (Maine) did not play for the Lightning.

Tampa Bay Takes 2-1 Series Lead

Duncan Keith (Michigan State) assisted on the go-ahead goal for the host Chicago Blackhawks in the third period—but the Tampa Bay Lightning responded with the tying marker just 13 seconds later, and then potted the game-winner with just over three minutes remaining in regulation Monday in a 3-2 win in Game Three of the Stanley Cup Final.

Ondrej Palat tied the contest for Tampa Bay 4:27 into the final frame, before Cedric Paquette chipped home the winner 12 minutes later. Ryan Callahan scored the Lightning’s first goal, while Brad Richards (power play) and Brandon Saad connected for Chicago on the night.

Chicago defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk (New Hampshire) played his first game for the Blackhawks since injuring his knee in November. Ben Bishop (Maine) finished with 36 saves in net for the Lightning, who won for the 8^th time in 11 road games this spring. Game 4 of the NHL's marquee series is Wednesday (8 p.m. ET, NBCSN) in Chicago.

Lightning Knot Cup Final

Jason Garrison (Minnesota-Duluth) blasted home the game-winning goal with just over 11 minutes remaining in regulation as the Tampa Bay Lightning notched a 4-3 victory tonight over the Chicago Blackhawks in Game Two of the Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena. The NHL's championship series is now tied at one game apiece.

 

Jonathan Toews (North Dakota) and Patrick Sharp (Vermont) picked up assists for the Blackhawks—but Sharp was also whistled for back-to-back penalties in the third period, the second of which resulted in Garrison’s game-winner.

 

Ben Bishop (Maine) made 21 saves for the Lightning, but yielded the net to Andrei Vasilevskiy shortly after Chicago’s third score tied the game. Vasilevskiy was in goal for Tampa Bay when Garrison scored for the Lightning, which earned him the win after he made five saves in nine minutes of play.

 

Game 3 will be held Monday night (8 p.m. ET, NBCSN) at the United Center in Chicago.

Blackhawks Win Game One of Final

Alex Killorn (Harvard) scored the game-opening goal on a nifty backhand deflection in the first period, but the Chicago Blackhawks tallied twice in just under two minutes in the final frame to win Game One of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final, 2-1, at Tampa Bay on Wednesday night.

The host Lightning, who advanced by beating Original Six clubs Detroit, Montreal and New York, lost for the first time in the 2015 postseason after scoring first. Game 2 at Amalie Arena in Florida will be on Saturday at 7 p.m. (NBC).

Duncan Keith (Michigan State) assisted on the tying goal for Chicago, which bested Nashville, Minnesota and Anaheim to advance to the Final. Ben Bishop (Maine) stopped 19 of 21 Chicago shots Wednesday, while Killorn tied for the game lead with five shots on goal.

The Blackhawks are seeking their third Cup in six seasons, while the Lightning is pursuing its first Cup in 11 years.

Blackhawks Back in Stanley Cup Final

A California-Florida Stanley Cup Final will have to wait at least another season.

 

Jonathan Toews (North Dakota) scored the game's first two goals, and Duncan Keith (Michigan State) recorded two assists as the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the host Anaheim Ducks, 5-3, in Game 7 of the Western Conference Final at the Honda Center. The Hawks won the series, four games to three, after rebounding from a three games-to-two deficit.

 

Chicago, which stayed alive by winning Game 6 at home on Wednesday, raced out to a 4-0 lead in the second period on Saturday before Ryan Kesler (Ohio State) notched Anaheim's first goal. The Ducks would get within 4-2 in the final frame before the two squads exchanged power-play scores for the final tally. Anaheim outshot Chicago, 38-26.

The Hawks, who claimed the NHL crown in both 2010 and 2013, will open the 2015 Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday at the Eastern Conference champion Tampa Bay Lightning (8 p.m., NBC). The two teams split a pair of meetings during the regular season.