"You have to be confident in your abilities at this stage," he said. "I feel I've had a pretty good season to date and can do some more out there, too. It's always nice when you feel like you're getting a few chances, but you always feel like you can do more." Kane concluded the Western Conference Finals with four goals in two games, but has just one assist in three contests versus Boston in the Stanley Cup Finals. He is expected to start Wednesday's game alongside Jonathan Toews and Bryan Bickell in an effort to spark the Blackhawks' offense.
Patrick Kane wants to heat up in Cup Final
Patrick Kane | CHI
(June 19, 2013 2:31 PM EDT)
Patrick Kane is confident that he can get going again offensively.
Source:
CSN Chicago
Bickell will play with Toews and Kane in Gm 4
Bryan Bickell | CHI
(June 19, 2013 2:13 PM EDT)
Bryan Bickell is projected to start Game 4 on a line with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.
The trio helped get Chicago's offense going in Games 4 and 5 against the Los Angeles Kings and coach Joel Quenneville is hoping they can get something going again versus the stingy Boston Bruins. "Yeah, it worked good late in the L.A. series," Bickell said. "We had a couple goals, with Kaner's hat trick to finish up the series. Hopefully it sparks each other and the team." Bickell, Kane and Toews haven't scored a goal yet in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Source:
Chicago Sun-Times
Lundqvist denies having say in coach's firing
Henrik Lundqvist | NYR
(June 19, 2013 1:57 PM EDT)
Henrik Lundqvist vehemently denied that he had a say in the firing of Rangers coach John Tortorella.
"I know there is some speculation regarding Torts being fired, but let's be clear on one thing," Lundqvist said via an e-mail on Wednesday. "It's not my call who the coach should be for the New York Rangers. I would never put pressure on the management on decisions like that. I'm just a player. My focus is to play the game and do the best I can on the ice. Whatever [happens] off the ice, I leave to our great staff we have working for this club." He also stated that he had a "great relationship" with Tortorella and he feels bad that he was let go by the organization.
Source:
New York Post
Kings re-sign Brandon Kozun
Brandon Kozun | LA
(June 19, 2013 1:40 PM EDT)
The Los Angeles Kings have inked Brandon Kozun to a one-year contract.
He has hit the 20-goal mark in three straight seasons with the Kings' AHL affiliate in Manchester. Kozun recorded 26 goals and 56 points in 74 games this past campaign. It will probably be tough for him to earn an NHL roster spot with the Kings out of training camp.
Source:
LAKingsInsider.com
Crawford expects Hawks to return to form
Corey Crawford | CHI
(June 19, 2013 1:32 PM EDT)
Corey Crawford expects his teammates to be ready for Game 4 Wednesday night.
"We've gone through a lot in these playoffs where ... it could have affected us but it didn't," Crawford said. "We bounce back from things. We don't change our game just because something happens. We're able to stick with it and not get our emotions all messed up." He has posted a .936 save percentage and a 1.74 GAA in the postseason and doesn't want to let an opportunity of winning the Stanley Cup pass him by. Chicago will be looking to even up their series with Boston on Wednesday night before heading back home for Game 5.
Source:
Chicago Tribune
Jagr to play in 200th NHL playoff game Weds.
Jaromir Jagr | BOS
(June 19, 2013 1:22 PM EDT)
Jaromir Jagr continues to set new milestones in the 2013 NHL playoffs.
Wednesday's match will be his 200th postseason appearance, which places him 19th on the league's all-time list. Jagr earned an assist in Game 3 Monday night to take sole possession of fifth place on the NHL's all-time playoff points list.
Source:
Boston Gobe
Stars will meet with Lindy Ruff again
Lindy Ruff | BUF
(June 19, 2013 1:12 PM EDT)
Lindy Ruff will speak with the Dallas Stars again this week.
According to TSN's Darren Dreger, former Rangers bench boss John Tortorella is also in contention for the position.
Source:
Darren Dreger on Twitter
Report: NYR to announce Vigneault hiring Fri.
Alain Vigneault | NYR
(June 19, 2013 1:07 PM EDT)
TSN's Darren Dreger is hearing that Alain Vigneault will officially be named the next head coach of the New York Rangers on Friday.
His hiring was first reported Saturday and he's believed to have agreed to a five-year, $10 million deal after being dismissed by the Vancouver Canucks.
Source:
Darren Dreger on Twitter
Marian Hossa is expected to play in Game 4
Marian Hossa | CHI
(June 19, 2013 12:52 PM EDT)
Marian Hossa is expected to play Wednesday night in Game 4 despite missing the Blackhawks' morning skate.
Coach Joel Quenneville said "He's fine." Jamal Mayars practiced on the second line during the session, but he also expects Hossa to play. Hossa has seven goals and 15 points in 19 playoff games, so he'll be a welcome addition to the lineup as Chicago searches for more offense against Boston.
Source:
Chris Kuc on Twitter
Marian Hossa sits out morning skate Weds.
Marian Hossa | CHI
(June 19, 2013 12:10 PM EDT)
Marian Hossa didn't take part in Wednesday's morning skate.
Coach Joel Quenneville said Tuesday that it was "likely" that Hossa would play, so he may have just received the morning off to rest up prior to Game 4. He sat out Monday's contest due to an upper-body injury.
Source:
NHL.com