It was not pretty, but the Chicago Cubs staved off elimination and remain alive to defend their World Series crown.

A stressful eighth inning saw the Los Angeles Dodgers close the gap in Wednesday's Game 4, but the Cubs survived to force one more game at Wrigley Field in the National League Championship Series. Now they will try to get another starting performance like the one Jake Arrieta tossed in Game 4 to try to move the series back to Los Angeles.

Is that plausible? Perhaps, but familiar issues still exist for Chicago. With that in mind, here is how you can catch the rest of the NLCS action, with OddsShark.com providing the latest chances each will go all the way.

            

Series Odds

Cubs: 50-1

Dodgers: 91-100

                    

Game 5

When: Thursday, Oct. 19 at 8 p.m. ET

Television: TBS

Live Stream: TBS Live

          

Game 6*

When: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 4 p.m.

Television: TBS

Live Stream: TBS Live

Game 7*

When: Sunday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m.

Television: TBS

Live Stream: TBS Live

         

Game 5 Preview

If not for Arrieta, this series could already be over.

The righty was nearly perfect in Game 4, allowing just three hits over 6.2 innings. His lone blemish was leaving one pitch up in the zone for Cody Bellinger to go yard in the third frame.

Unless the Cubs can get similar production out of Jose Quintana in Game 5 with an extra inning or two of work, they could be trouble.

Offense is still a serious problem for Chicago in the NLCS, as they have only scored seven runs thus far. The team is not generating enough hits to get men on base, which has resulted in all seven of those runs coming off of home runs, including five solo shots.

As Christopher Kamka of NBC Sports Chicago pointed out, consistently getting on base has been the death of the Cubs' lineup:

#Cubs postseason batting average
First 8 games: .172
Tonight (5-29): .172
They won, so whatever

— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) October 19, 2017

Perhaps the most troubling thing from this series#Dodgers batters: 26 Walks, 32 Strikeouts#Cubs batters: 4 Walks, 43 Strikeouts

— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) October 19, 2017

A lack of offensive support has left the glaring weakness of relief pitching exposed. The Cubs bullpen has given up a porous eight earned runs in just 13.1 NLCS innings, including 13 walks. To make matters worse, the team's most reliable reliever, Wade Davis, is coming off a 48-pitch save on Wednesday, which likely makes him unavailable for Game 5.

If all of that is not enough reason for Quintana—who owns an excellent 1.59 ERA this postseason but allowed both of his runs in the Game 1 loss—to throw the game of his life, then adding in Clayton Kershaw on the other side certainly suffices.

With a 2.36 ERA in 10 seasons, Kershaw is the greatest pitcher of this generation, but he has lost his dominance in the postseason. In 100.1 career playoff frames, his ERA is a pedestrian 4.57, and he has not been great in 2017, with six runs allowed in 11.1 innings. That includes two runs in five innings in a Dodgers comeback 5-2 victory in Game 1.

In fact, the Cubs franchise has had Kershaw's number throughout his career, per ESPN's Jesse Rogers:

11 career home runs off Kershaw by Cubs hitters, most of any team not in the NL west.

— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) October 15, 2017

Still, this is Kershaw, and he should strike fear into any lineup he faces. He is also pitching with much more room for error than Quintana, considering the Dodgers' bullpen has allowed just three hits and no runs over 14 innings in the NLCS.

Even if Kershaw allows a run or two, he should still be fine. Los Angeles' two runs were its lowest output of the postseason, as the Dodgers are averaging just under four runs a game this postseason. Having Justin Turner put up MVP-caliber numbers also helps.

In 26 at-bats this postseason, Turner is hitting .423 with three homers and 11 RBI to go with six walks. He's kept in going in the NLCS, batting .385 with two homers and six RBI.

This is no fluke for Turner, who is among the greatest playoff hitters in MLB history, per ESPN:

No one in MLB history has had a higher postseason OBP than Justin Turner. pic.twitter.com/f4FwugVxsp

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 19, 2017

Everything about this series has pointed to the Dodgers advancing, especially now since only the 2004 Boston Red Sox have ever come back from a 0-3 deficit. Los Angeles is getting much better hitting and pitching on a consistent basis, while the hostile confines of Wrigley Field have not had much of an effect. The team owned the NL's second-best road record this season, and it already took a game in Chicago while nearly coming back in Game 4.

Look for Kershaw to throw at least six solid innings to allow the bullpen to close it down. Quintana has only thrown at least seven innings three times since joining the Cubs in July, and he will be hard-pressed to do so in Game 5 against such a potent Dodgers lineup.

Expect Los Angeles to take advantage of the Chicago bullpen late, thus securing a trip to the World Series.

        

Statistics are courtesy of MLB.com unless otherwise noted.

Could the Chicago Cubs' World Series defense be coming to an end?

After battling to edge the Washington Nationals in the National League Division Series, the Cubs have gone down two games in the 2017 NLCS against the juggernaut Los Angeles Dodgers. Now they will need to rely on the comfortable confines of Wrigley Field to break out of their slump and get back into this series.

Want to catch the action? Check out how you can tune in for Game 3.

   

NLCS Game 3 Viewing Schedule

When: Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 9 p.m. ET

Television: TBS

Live Stream: TBS Live

    

Game 3 Preview

The Cubs had no problems scoring runs after the All-Star break, leading MLB with a whopping 423 runs in that span. Yet the bats have gone cold this postseason.

The team is averaging under three runs a night in seven games, with nine of those coming in the ALDS Game 5 triumph over Washington. Granted, a decrease in scoring is expected when facing aces like Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, but Chicago's current pace simply is not going to cut it.

Not when the Cubs' pitching has been down all season. After leading baseball with a 3.15 team ERA a year ago, Chicago's pitching dropped to a 3.95 mark in 2017. In the postseason, the team's ERA is 4.01.

The Cubs need several key guys to start hitting, including Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo, who are both batting below .200 in the playoffs. Javier Baez is the most floundering Cub at the moment, per ESPN Stats and Info:

Javier Báez: 0-19 in 2017 postseason

Only longer Cubs hitless streak to start postseason: Jimmy Sheckard 0-21 (1906) (via @EliasSports)

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 16, 2017

On the other hand, the Dodgers have been excellent this postseason with five straight wins. 

They will trot out Yu Darvish in Game 3, which is a testament to the team's rotation depth. In a limited sample size, Darvish has been great against the current Cubs lineup. Bryant is 0-for-3, as Willson Contreras, Jason Heyward and Addison Russell are also hitless. Ben Zobrist is a brutal 2-for-12. Rizzo is the only Chicago hitter with much success, having smacked a two-run double off of Darvish.

That is not a good sign for Chicago, especially since it has yet to score a run off of Los Angeles' bullpen. 

Yet Kyle Hendricks will look to lift the Cubs back into this series. 

The righty has an exceptional playoff resume, which typically makes him a surefire option to boost this Chicago team. However, he was lit up for nine hits and four runs in just four innings in Game 5 against Washington. That is not normal for Hendricks, who entered the game with sick numbers, per MLB Network:

.@kylehendricks28's last four #Postseason starts = 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/7PE4ZGaiDD

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) October 12, 2017

Was his last start simply an anomaly? Perhaps, but he will have to take care of Justin Turner in order to shut down the Dodgers lineup, as the third baseman is turning in an MVP-type postseason performance.

He is batting .429 in October, hitting two homers and driving in 10 runs in the process. Need clutch hits? Turner is fresh off of a three-run walk-off shot to end Game 2, as he is hitting .375 in the NLCS. Per Sporting News' Ryan M. Spaeder, Turner is actually one of the best playoff hitters of all time:

Highest career #postseason OPS, minimum 90 plate appearances:

1. Lou Gehrig - 1.214
2. Babe Ruth - 1.214
3. Justin Turner - 1.115 pic.twitter.com/vrDDAC1PUu

— Ryan M. Spaeder (@theaceofspaeder) October 16, 2017

Turner is 2-for-7 lifetime against Hendricks, including a homer and three RBI. 

Chicago was pretty solid at home, 48-33, which was good for third-best in the NL. They have run into the league's top two road teams during the regular season, though, in Los Angeles and Washington. The Dodgers were 47-34 away from home in 2017, which could neutralize Chicago's home-field advantage.

There is something to be said about postseason experience, particularly since the Cubs have now played in the NLCS for three straight years. The Dodgers have been snakebitten in the playoffs, but this year just feels different.

Chicago is hanging on like never before, while Los Angeles is surging and finding ways to win games with offense and pitching. Until the Cubs can prove they can hit this postseason, it is hard to pick them over Darvish and the Dodgers. Expect a close one, but look for the road team to take a commanding 3-0 series lead.

Statistics are courtesy of MLB.com unless noted otherwise.

The United States' Galen Rupp won the men's race at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday morning, while Ethiopia's Tirunesh Dibaba claimed the women's title. 

Rupp's win ended a 14-year drought for American men at the event, per Chris Chavez of Sports Illustrated:

There it is.

USA’s Galen Rupp wins the 2017 Chicago Marathon in 2:09:19.

First American winner since Khalid Khannouchi in 2002. pic.twitter.com/Qg6HildIS6

— Chris Chavez (@ChrisChavez) October 8, 2017

You can see the men's top 10 below:

1. Rupp, Galen (USA): 2:09:20

2. Kirui, Abel (KEN): 2:09:48

3. Kipyego, Bernard (KEN): 2:10:23

4. Lemma, Sisay (ETH): 2:11:01

5. Sambu, Stephen (KEN): 2:11:07

6. Matsumura, Kohei (JPN): 2:11:46

7. Chebii, Ezekiel (KEN): 2:12:12

8. Tadese, Zersenay (ERI): 2:12:19

9. Derrick, Chris (USA): 2:12:50

10. Shelley, Michael (AUS): 2:12:52 

Chavez also shared a picture of Dibaba crossing the finish line: 

Ethiopia’s Tirunesh Dibaba wins the women’s elite race at the 2017 #ChicagoMarathon in 2:18:30. Crushed it. pic.twitter.com/K4TnfpCzdy

— Chris Chavez (@ChrisChavez) October 8, 2017

American runner Jordan Hasay finished in third among the women and made a bit of history in the process, per Chavez: 

Jordan Hasay clocks a huge personal best of 2:20:57.

Now the 2nd-fastest U.S. woman ever, fastest in Chicago.

This was her 2nd marathon pic.twitter.com/G58kNwhYNr

— Chris Chavez (@ChrisChavez) October 8, 2017

The women's top 10 is below: 

1. Dibaba, Tirunesh (ETH): 2:18:31

2. Kosgei, Brigid (KEN): 2:20:22

3. Hasay, Jordan (USA): 2:20:57

4. Perez, Madai (MEX): 2:24:44

5. Kipketer, Valentine (KEN): 2:28:05

6. Weightman, Lisa (AUS): 2:28:45

7. Krifchin, Maegan (USA): 2:33:46

8. Gray, Alia (USA): 2:34:25

9. Ward, Taylor (USA): 2:35:27

10. Wade, Becky (USA): 2:35:46

Rupp's historic victory was the latest accomplishment in his decorated career. The three-time Olympian claimed a bronze medal in the marathon at the 2016 Rio Games and a silver medal in the 10,000-meter race at the 2012 London Games, which made him the first American man to medal in that event since 1964, per Shannon Ryan of the Chicago Tribune.

He also finished second in April's Boston Marathon.

Kirui, the race's defending champion, and Lemma were bunched in a three-man pack with Rupp before the American pulled away from the pair down the stretch. Rupp told Chavez after the race: 

"I hadn't really planned out when I was going to go but I definitely wanted to wait until 20 to 22 miles. The longer the better. I made the mistake in the past of going out a little too hard too soon and you still have a long ways to go for several miles. I really wanted to wait. I kind of felt a little gap pulling away and at that point you just got to put the hammer down and drive to the finish. That was my plan."

That plan worked out to perfection. And Sunday's result was especially meaningful for Rupp, whose father grew up in Chicago, per Rachel Lutz of Olympic Talk.

"To have a race like this where it all comes together, and to win in a city that means so much to me...it's just a great day," he added.

The American League and National League divisional rounds are nearly both underway, and Friday provides the first chance to watch all four matchups in one day.

As with any playoff series, exceptional pitching is set to be on display, as arguably the game's top two pitchers in Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Corey Kluber of the Cleveland Indians will take the hill. Yet, that has not seemed to matter at times this postseason. In the wild-card round, for instance, a starting foursome that included aces like Zack Greinke and Luis Severino combined to pitch just 7.1 innings.

How can you watch this full day of top-notch baseball? Check out the viewing schedule for Game 2s in the AL and Game 1s in the NL.

   

Boston Red Sox at Houston Astros

When: Friday, Oct. 6 at 2 p.m. ET

Television: FS1

Live Stream: Fox Sports Go

   

New York Yankees at Cleveland Indians

When: Friday, Oct. 6 at 5 p.m. ET

Television: MLB Network

Live Stream: MLB.tv

   

Chicago Cubs at Washington Nationals

When: Friday, Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m. ET

Television: TBS

Live Stream: TBS Live, MLB.tv

   

Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers

When: Friday, Oct. 6 at 10:30 p.m. ET

Television: TBS

Live Stream: TBS Live, MLB.tv

    

Houston vs. Boston Preview

The Boston Red Sox threw their ace in Game 1, and it did not go well.

Chris Sale was tattooed for seven runs and nine hits in just five innings as the Houston Astros easily took the contest 8-2. The Red Sox will now turn to Drew Pomeranz to tie the series before it heads back to Boston.

Pomeranz turned in an excellent season, going 17-6 with a 3.32 ERA. He also threw his best against baseball's top teams, per the Red Sox Notes statistics profile:

Drew Pomeranz made 10 starts against teams that have qualified for the 2017 postseason: the Sox went 9-1 in those games (6-1, 2.62 ERA).

— J.P. Long (@SoxNotes) September 30, 2017

He will need to be just as stout on Friday against an Astros lineup littered with dangerous bats. Houston led MLB with 896 runs and a .282 team average in the regular season, and the offense is still rolling after battering Sale. 

Besides Thursday's hero Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa, Pomeranz does have a solid history against the Astros lineup, per Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle:

How the Astros hitters have fared against Red Sox Game 2 starter Drew Pomeranz pic.twitter.com/o6pCR1rEJL

— Jake Kaplan (@jakemkaplan) October 6, 2017

This should make it a low-scoring affair, especially since Houston is throwing 2015 Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel. 

The lefty was great again this season with a 14-5 mark and 2.90 ERA, but he has not faced this Boston lineup too often. Other than Rajai Davis and Mitch Moreland, both of whom are hitting below .100 lifetime, no Red Sox hitter has more than 10 career at-bats against Keuchel.

Such a tight pitching matchup makes this game a toss-up on paper, but Houston's dynamite offense and rowdy home crowd should give them a slight advantage. Look for the Astros to squeeze a run or two home to walk out with a narrow win.

    

Cleveland vs. New York Preview

If one thought the Red Sox were in trouble after Game 1, take a look at the New York Yankees' ominous position.

After using their bullpen for 8.2 innings in the wild-card round, the Yankees got just 3.1 frames out of starter Sonny Gray on Thursday. New York relievers still allowed just two hits and a run the rest of the night, but a dominant bullpen is being stretched out early.

It will be up to 37-year-old CC Sabathia to right the ship and give New York a quality outing. He has been the man for the job in 2017 after a Yankees loss, per Mike Mazzeo of the New York Daily News:

And so it comes down to this: CC Sabathia (9-0, 1.71 ERA following a Yankee loss) vs. Klubot

— Mike Mazzeo (@MazzNYC) October 6, 2017

Sabathia has gone seven or more innings only three times this season, but New York should have Chad Green, Tommy Kahnle and David Robertson available again after their long wild-card stints. The Yankees should be set up to win on the hill, except for one major problem.

No pitcher was as dominant this season, especially in the AL, as Kluber. He went 18-4 on the year with a sparkling 2.25 ERA, which will likely win him the Cy Young. He has also been fantastic against the Yankees this season, posting a 2-0 record with three runs allowed in 17 innings. Lifetime, only Jacoby Ellsbury is hitting above .250 among the current Yankees.

With a rested bullpen and possibly the best pitcher in baseball, Cleveland should be favored here. This is truly an elite team that has already flexed its muscles in this series. Expect a 2-0 Indians lead going back to the Bronx.

    

Chicago vs. Washington Preview

After a slow start, the defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs got back on track to win the NL Central and enter October as a title contender.

After the All-Star break, Chicago led MLB with 423 runs and were second with a .273 team batting average. Kris Bryant, 29 homers and 73 RBI, and Anthony Rizzo, 32 homers and 109 RBI, returned to form again in 2017, as Chicago had six players smack at least 20 dingers for the year.

The Cubs will need that offense going against a red-hot Stephen Strasburg, who finished the year with a 15-4 record and 2.52 ERA. He ended his season on an absolute tear over five starts, per the Washington Nationals team Twitter account:

Stephen Strasburg allowed only 3 ER in all of September.

Now he's @MLB's NL Pitcher of the Month. https://t.co/oJ0csQf83p pic.twitter.com/ue9Q1hHLM6

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) October 2, 2017

With Trea Turner coming back from injury, this is the best Nationals team ever on paper, especially with Ryan Zimmerman going off for 36 homers and 108 RBI on the year. This makes them the favorite for the series and Game 1.

Strasburg should perform very well if he continues his recent play, and that will be the key to this game. Washington ranked a lowly 23rd in MLB with a bullpen ERA of 4.41, so this will be the weakness for Chicago to exploit.

Against any other Washington starter besides Max Scherzer, this would give the Cubs a pretty solid chance to pull out a win. However, expect Strasburg, who was 7-2 at home this season, to lead the Nationals to an early series lead.

    

Arizona vs. Los Angeles Preview

Another year, another example of Kershaw's otherworldly talents.

After putting up an 18-4 record and 2.31 ERA in 2017, Kershaw continued to lower his career numbers, per MLB.com's Jordan Bastian:

https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/914308698373226497

There is no question Kershaw is likely the top pitcher of his generation, but his postseason numbers have not matched his regular-season dominance. He sports 4.55 ERA in 14 career starts, and he is coming off of a shaky 2016 playoff run in which he allowed 12 runs in 24.1 innings despite his excessive use.

He will start another chance to possibly pitch in a World Series on Friday against an Arizona team that has given him some trouble. In seven starts over the last three years prior to 2017, Kershaw allowed 19 runs in 42 innings against the Diamondbacks. Yet, he bounced back this season with a ridiculous 0.59 ERA against Arizona in two starts.

He has handled Arizona star Paul Goldschmidt pretty well over the years. Goldschmidt is hitting just .227 in 44 at-bats, including 17 strikeouts. The Diamondbacks are going to need some offense in Game 1 to help out starter Taijuan Walker against a loaded Los Angeles Dodgers lineup that has routinely batted players like Yasiel Puig seventh or eighth.

Puig, by the way, hit 28 homers this season. 

Picking against Kershaw is never a smart bet, and as long he even closely resembles his typical self, the Dodgers should be able to generate enough runs to get the Game 1 win.

Statistics are courtesy of MLB.com unless otherwise noted.

Mobile top-four defensemen are a hot commodity in today's high-tempo NHL, and several notable names are finding themselves in the rumor mill as trade buzz percolates throughout the league.

NHL clubs are looking to possibly make some last-minute trades to give their rosters more clarity before the free-agency signing period begins on July 1. The Minnesota Wild are a team with a logjam of quality defensemen that could be split up to make way for free agents, both restricted and unrestricted. The Florida Panthers could also continue their trend of unloading heavy contracts this offseason.

With that in mind, let us dive into some of the latest buzz around the league.

     

Who Goes in Minnesota?

Even though they lost top prospect Alex Tuch, the Wild avoided a big hit from their current roster in the expansion draft, as they only gave up checking forward Erik Haula. Still, the team has a big-time cap crunch that needs solving, particularly because it also has interest in bringing in veteran free agents.

Defensively, Minnesota already has entrenched stalwarts in Jonas Brodin, Jared Spurgeon and Ryan Suter along with an emerging star offensive defenseman in Matt Dumba, who put up 34 points last season as a 22-year-old. With Dumba needing a new contract next season also factoring into the Wild's salary issue, Michael Russo of the Star Tribune reported that it appears one defenseman may be on the way out:

#mnwild still very well may trade a defenseman like Marco Scandella. Teams like BOS still have interest, but Fletcher wants better offers

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) June 26, 2017

Russo brought up Marco Scandella's name again the following day when talking about players who may be traded to free up room for free-agent signings. Among the unrestricted names Russo said he is hearing are veteran checking forwards Matt Hendricks, Chris Kunitz and Scottie Upshall.

Minnesota currently has just over $13 million in cap space, but restricted forward Mikael Granlund, an electric young center who posted 69 points last year, and top forward Nino Niederreiter, 57 points, will likely take up most of that space with new deals. Scandella has three years left on his contract with a cap hit of $4 million.

Scandella, 27, has never recorded more than 23 points in five full NHL seasons, but he still has great value as a strong, left-shot skater who can play in most teams' top four. Russo mentioned Boston as a team interested, which makes sense given the Bruins' uneven depth on their backend. TSN's Bob McKenzie also noted last week the Montreal Canadiens as a team in on Scandella, although it appears Minnesota does not want the Canadiens' top trade piece:

MTL had/has interest in Scandella, but when MIN/MTL/TB were talking last week that led to Drouin deal, didn't sense MIN high on Galchenyuk.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 22, 2017

It seems almost certain that Minnesota will make a trade to clear financial room, and Scandella is the prime target at the moment. Opposing teams know the Wild's situation, so they may not get a full return on Scandella due to a lack of leverage. The top-four defenseman market is also shrinking after the Marc Methot trade. Yet, he can still be an impact player for another NHL team next season.

        

Florida Moving Another Veteran?

The Panthers went for it last offseason, extending Aaron Ekblad and Reilly Smith to big deals while adding high-value free agents Jason Demers, James Reimer and Keith Yandle. This was their window to compete for a Stanley Cup, and they spent like it.

Instead, Florida flopped to 81 points and a missed postseason. As a result, Smith was moved to Vegas in the expansion draft, and now it sounds like Demers may be the next to go as the Panthers try to shed salary following their disappointing championship push. 

On TSN 1050 in Toronto, TSN hockey insider Pierre LeBrun reported the Panthers are committed to shipping out Demers this offseason, with the Maple Leafs being a possible fit.

"Florida will move him. Possibly this week," LeBrun said. "He has a list, and I don’t know if Toronto’s on it or not."

The Panthers' actions with the expansion draft seem to back this up. They had no problem losing Smith and Jonathan Marchessault, a 30-goal scorer last year who is due for a big raise next offseason, while leaving Demers unprotected in favor of younger but less accomplished players like Alex Petrovic.

Demers is a quality two-way defenseman who can play against opposing top lines while adding some offense. He put up 28 points last season and averaged 27.5 points over the last four years with the Dallas Stars and Florida. There is plenty of value for a guy who can move the puck while also playing a physical game, which NHL.com shows Demers can clearly do:

He still has four years left on his deal with a $4.5 million cap hit, but he also has a modified no-trade clause that allows him to list eight teams he cannot be moved to. As a right shot, Demers would fit well in Toronto's top four with Jake Gardiner, Morgan Rielly and Nikita Zaitsev. The Maple Leafs, if they are good on Demers' list, have the cap space to bring in Demers, but they have to part with a top prospect like Jeremy Bracco or Kasperi Kapanen to make the trade work for Florida.

     

Chicago Looking at Reunion

With the trades of Niklas Hjalmarsson and Artemi Panarin, the Chicago Blackhawks have already been among the most active teams this offseason since they have the least amount of cap space in hockey. Looking for cheap contracts to contribute, the team may be looking to a familiar face.

According to Brian Hedger of The Athletic, Patrick Sharp could be an option for the Blackhawks this offseason. Hedger cited a league source on Monday saying Chicago would be interested in bringing back the 35-year-old on a low-risk deal when free agency opens up. 

After playing a pivotal role as a top forward during Chicago's three Stanley Cups over 10 seasons, Sharp is no longer the star he once was. He posted a very respectable 55 points two years ago in his first season with Dallas, but he was brutal last year with 18 points in 48 games. Sharp went down with a hip injury that requires a lengthy recovery, which Hedger noted is progressing well:

I'm also told Sharp's rehab from hip surgery is going "very well."

Was given 4-6 month recovery time & is 3 mos into it. Has already skated

— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) June 27, 2017

With Marian Hossa seemingly out of the fold for the foreseeable future, Chicago has a spot open for a veteran presence who can still contribute. Sharp showed just two seasons ago that, when healthy, he can produce at a decent rate for a playoff team.

However, which Sharp is the real deal? Can he still be that player from two seasons ago, or is he now closer to last year's Sharp? It is certainly unclear, but bringing him on a cheap one-year deal would be a smart risk for Chicago. The Blackhawks are still among the Western Conference's top squads, and a guy like Sharp would be a calming presence on upcoming wingers like Ryan Hartman, Tomas Jurco and Richard Panik.

      

Statistics are courtesy of hockeydb.com. Contract information is courtesy of Cap Friendly.com.

If you live in the Chicago area and were planning on catching this week's episode of The Bachelorette, prepare to have a late night. 

Fans of the reality show were devastated Tuesday upon discovering the Cubs game against the Washington Nationals took priority on ABC, pushing The Bachelorette to a 1 a.m. slot.

Here's a sampling of some responses:

Do yourselves a favor: search "bachelorette Cubs". It's worth it. pic.twitter.com/nvkH8ag5IB

— Rachel (@KanersEnforcer) June 28, 2017

ABC Chicago is showing the Cubs Game instead of the bachelorette tonight. This is why women have trust issues. #thebachelorette

— ~gayle~ (@Guhh_ale) June 28, 2017

https://twitter.com/EPerd15/status/879843894078451713

I CAN'T WATCH NIGHT TWO OF THE TWO NIGHT BACHELORETTE SPECIAL BECAUSE @ABCNetwork IS AIRING THE CUBS GAME INSTEAD AND I WANT TO SCREAM

— mollzarella (@sassyspeckz) June 27, 2017

When you wanna watch part 2 of the bachelorette but you live in Chicago and the Cubs are playing 😒 #TheBachelorette pic.twitter.com/lajmIiG63c

— Slim (@JamiseWright) June 28, 2017

WHO DECIDED FROM ABC CHICAGO THAT THE CUBS GAME IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE BACHELORETTE pic.twitter.com/AkaUZb6801

— Kristy Arroyave (@kristenarroyave) June 27, 2017

[Twitter]

With the league-wide trade freeze lifted, a movement frenzy has commenced amid the welcoming of future stars at the 2017 NHL draft.

High-profile names were traded before and during the draft, but many questions were also answered near the top of the draft board on Day 1. The second day of the entry draft is usually quieter, but late-round picks could end up supplementing the major transactions and choices made on the previous night.

With that in mind, let us take a look at the television schedule for Day 2, along with the full selection list for the remainder of the draft, courtesy of NHL.com. The first-day results can also be found at NHL.com; continue along for a review of two of the Day 1’s top storylines.

       

NHL Draft 2017 Day 2 Schedule

When: Saturday, June 24, at 10 a.m. ET

Television: NHL Network

     

Nico or Nolan?

Speculation swirled for months around the first pick, but New Jersey Devils general manager Ray Shero appeared to finally settle on either dynamic Swiss center Nico Hischier of Halifax or Brandon's big-body pivot Nolan Patrick coming into draft week.

“If I was on the clock right now?” Shero asked The Record's Tara Sullivan Monday on if he was ready to make the pick. “Yes, I do.

“I am.”

Reports surfaced in the weeks prior to the draft that the Devils could look to trade down from No. 1. Defensive depth in the prospect pipeline is a need for New Jersey, and Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported rumors on June 13 that Shero could opt for either Miro Heiskanen or Cale Makar by trading down, so there appeared to be plenty of possible directions for the top pick.

However, Shero made it clear to Sullivan that he was not shopping his top pick, and he backed that up on Friday. For a Devils franchise that has missed the postseason five straight years following a Stanley Cup finals appearance, giving the fanbase a spark of excitement by keeping and using a No. 1 overall pick was the right call.

Hischier got the nod, becoming the first Swiss player to ever go No. 1 in an NHL draft, per Sportsnet:

BREAKING #NJDevils Nico Hischier becomes the first Swiss player in history to be selected 1st overall in the #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/MfxgURGVzC

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) June 23, 2017

Hischier came over to North America for the first time, and he exploded onto the scene with 86 points in 57 games for the Mooseheads, pretty much single-handedly bringing the team to the QMJHL playoffs, where he had seven points in six games. At the World Junior championships, Hischier continued to shine, scoring two goals to nearly beat the gold-medal winning U.S. team by himself while recording seven points in five games against the world's top young talent.

A dynamic skater, Hischier makes his teammates better with excellent passing and strong two-way play. TSN's Craig Button (via NHL.com's Mike Morreale), compared Hischier's game to a future Hall of Famer, which he said gave him the edge over Patrick at the top of the draft.

"Just because he has a bit of an edge in dynamic ability," Button said. "The comparison I've used for Hischier is Henrik Zetterberg, and the comparison for Patrick is Eric Staal. They've both won the Stanley Cup, were each captains of their teams and won international gold medals, so that shows you how close they are."

Zetterberg is a strong comparison in the way Hischier plays at a high speed while being able to think the game quickly. He is also responsible in his own end, much like the Detroit Red Wings star, while still possessing game-breaking offensive skill.

New Jersey ranked in the bottom three in the NHL the last two years in scoring at roughly 2.20 goals per game, so the team needs this infusion of playmaking. Especially considering the Devils already have an elite winger in Taylor Hall, Hischier should fit in smoothly in New Jersey.

     

Quiet Night for Trades

After a flurry of trades during the expansion draft process followed by notable deals involving Artemi Panarin, Brandon Saad and Derek Stepan on Friday, it appeared the draft would be filled with high-end trades since all 31 general managers were sitting in the same room.

Yet, big names like Matt Duchene of the Colorado Avalanche, Alex Galchenyuk of the Montreal Canadiens and Travis Hamonic of the New York Islanders remain untouched. After weeks of chatter that these three could be on the move, that has yet to materialize. TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported later on Friday that a Duchene trade now does not appear imminent:

Just had similar convo with Sakic here at the draft. Avs GM says nothing close at all on Duchene, nothing that makes sense for the team https://t.co/gtYdnTPmR0

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 24, 2017

There were no trades involving a player until late in the first round. As a result, the draft moved at a rapid pace as team after team strolled on stage, selected a player and remained quiet. An event that could take five or six hours was over in just over three, which was as fast as NHL.com's Tom Gulitti can ever remember it:

Whatever happens with this last pick (which reportedly will be traded), this has been the fastest first round I can remember in a long time.

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) June 24, 2017

St. Louis acquiring Brayden Schenn from the Philadelphia Flyers was the most notable transaction of the night, but the Blues paid a hefty price.

The team traded Jori Lehtera, who, despite being a solid player, is slightly overpaid with a $4.7 million cap hit while averaging 40 points in three seasons in St. Louis. However, the deal also included the No. 27 pick along with a conditional first-round selection next season, the conditions of which TSN's Frank Seravalli described:

Condition of STL 1st to PHI: If in Top 10 in '18, STL can defer to '19. If Top 10 in '19, can defer to '20, when PHI also gets a 3rd.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 24, 2017

At just 25 years old, Schenn is a surefire top-six center who recorded 114 points over the last two seasons. He can play on St. Louis' top power-play unit while being a point producer for a star player like Vladimir Tarasenko or an emerging talent like Robby Fabbri.

On a roster with Patrik Berglund and Paul Stastny, Tarasenko needs more skilled centers with offensive capabilities. Schenn can provide that, and he still has three years left on his contract at $5.125 million a year. 

St. Louis has made the playoffs six straight seasons but have failed to get out of the Western Conference while only reaching the conference finals once. The team is still built to win now, and it could use a shake-up to find different results. Schenn became expendable with the Flyers drafting Patrick, but look for him to be an impact player with the Blues while Philadelphia develops Patrick behind star center Claude Giroux.

Similar or even blockbuster deals still could emerge on Day 2. With six rounds to sit through, general mangers will have time to think and talk, so do not be surprised if a major transaction goes down on Saturday.

Statistics are courtesy of NHL.com. Contract information is courtesy of CapFriendly.com. 

A furiously busy time in the offseason will undergo another prime event for player movement and news, as the league welcomes in its next batch of stars in the 2017 NHL draft.

Several teams made moves before Saturday's trade freeze went into effect, which now squarely puts the Vegas Golden Knights at the center of the NHL universe while the team mulls over its expansion draft decisions, which will be revealed Wednesday night during the NHL Awards. Meanwhile, league general managers must simultaneously finalize their draft boards and plans.

Although this class looks to be missing a generational talent like Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews, there are still multiple high-end prospects that will have teams jockeying for position to add them to their franchise. With that in mind, let us take a look at the television and live-stream schedules for the event as well as our latest mock draft.

Note that with expansion draft side deals and trades on draft day, the current order is very likely to change.

    

NHL Draft 2017 Information

When: Friday, June 23, at 7 p.m. ET (Day 1); Saturday, June 24, at 10 a.m. ET (Day 2)

Viewing Guide: NBCSN with live stream at NBC Sports Live (Day 1); NHL Network (Day 2)

       

Latest First-Round Mock Draft

1. New Jersey Devils: Nolan Patrick, center, Brandon (OHL)

2. Philadelphia Flyers: Nico Hischier, center, Halifax (QMJHL)

3. Dallas Stars: Cale Makar, defenseman, Brooks (AJHL)

4. Colorado Avalanche: Miro Heiskanen, defenseman, HIFK (SM Liiga)

5. Vancouver Canucks: Casey Mittelstadt, center, Green Bay (USHL)

6. Vegas Golden Knights: Gabriel Vilardi, center, Windsor (OHL)

7. Arizona Coyotes: Owen Tippett, right wing, Mississauga (OHL)

8. Buffalo Sabres: Timothy Liljegren, defenseman, Rogle (SWE)

9. Detroit Red Wings: Cody Glass, center, Portland (WHL)

10: Florida Panthers: Eeli Tolvanen, right wing, Sioux City (USHL)

11. Los Angeles Kings: Nick Suzuki, center, Owen Sound (OHL)

12. Carolina Hurricanes: Martin Necas, center, Brno (CZE)

13. Winnipeg Jets: Elias Pettersson, center, Timra (SWE)

14. Tampa Bay Lightning: Callan Foote, defenseman, Kelowna (WHL)

15. New York Islanders: Lias Andersson, center, HV71 (SHL)

16. Calgary Flames: Kailer Yamamoto, right wing, Spokane (WHL)

17. Toronto Maple Leafs: Michael Rasmussen, center, Tri-City (WHL)

18. Boston Bruins: Robert Thomas, center, London (OHL)

19. San Jose Sharks: Juuso Valimaki, defenseman, Tri-City (WHL)

20. St. Louis Blues: Nicholas Hague, defenseman, Mississauga (OHL)

21. New York Rangers: Urho Vaakanainen, defenseman, Jyvaskala (SM Liiga)

22. Edmonton Oilers: Klim Kostin, right wing, Moscow (KHL)

23. Arizona Coyotes (from Minnesota Wild): Conor Timmins, defenseman, Sault St. Marie (OHL) 

24. Columbus Blue Jackets: Ryan Poehling, center, St. Cloud State (NCAA)

25. Montreal Canadiens: Jason Robertson, left wing, Kingston (OHL)

26. Chicago Blackhawks: Jake Oettinger, goalie, Boston University (NCAA)

27. St. Louis Blues (from Washington Capitals): Kole Lind, left wing, Kelowna (WHL)

28. Ottawa Senators: Maxime Comtois, left wing, Victoriaville (QMJHL)

29. Dallas Stars (from Anaheim Ducks): Shane Bowers, center, Waterloo (USHL)

30. Nashville Predators: Josh Norris, center, USNTDP (USHL)

31. Pittsburgh Penguins: Erik Brannstrom, defenseman, HV71 (SWE J20)

      

Watch for Rising Defensemen

Nico Hischier and Nolan Patrick are the consensus top prospects and should hear their names called in the first two picks, but two defensemen seem to rocketing up draft boards in recent weeks.

Cale Makar emerged as an elite prospect this season despite not playing in the CHL, which is the most scouted amateur league in the world for NHL clubs. He tore up the AJHL, controlling play at both ends of the ice with 75 points in 54 games.

TSN's Bob McKenzie surveyed 10 NHL scouts before unveiling his final draft rankings, and Makar was the only player besides Hischier or Patrick to receive a vote as the draft's top prospect. This is a far cry from what appeared to be the prevailing thought from draft experts of Hischier or Patrick clearly being the best two prospects.

Makar is a tremendous skater with excellent hands. As a result, McKenzie also cited one scout comparing his style of play to two-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators. NHL Network's Brian Lawton echoed that comparison when describing Makar's possible impact, saying he will still bring offensive firepower to a team despite his small stature.

On the flip side, Miro Heiskanen is another name to watch.

The Finnish blueliner dominated the U18 World Championships with 12 points in seven games. He also played all season in Finland's top professional league, SM Liiga, where he held his own with 10 points in 37 games playing with men as a 17-year-old. 

Heiskanen plays more of a two-way game, which makes him even more attractive as a potential impact player in all situations. One anonymous NHL scout praised Heiskanen for his hockey smarts and ability to make plays all over the ice, per NHL.com's Mike Morreale:

"At 17 years old he's playing against guys who are 35 and who have been around for 20 years so that gives him an extra advantage. You don't play in Liiga if you're not good enough to do that and he was unbelievable there. He's a very good skater, both forward and backward. His hockey sense is really good. He's not a big, strong guy but always in the right position at the right time. He can shoot and is an excellent playmaker. He loves to join the offensive rush."

If what these scouts are saying represents conventional thinking around the league, then both Heiskanen and Makar should not last longer than the first five selections. 

Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill has said early on that he very much would consider trading his No. 3 pick for a more immediate return to get back to the playoffs. He reiterated that sentiment a month ago to NHL Network radio on SiriusXM, via NHL.com's Sean Shapiro. With top-four defensemen being such a commodity in the NHL, expect either Heiskanen or Makar to be the pick at No. 3 if a team is willing to move up and switch with Dallas.   

    

Goaltender of Future Makes Sense for Chicago

Sitting with the least amount of remaining cap space in hockey after several seasons of loading up on veteran talent in pursuit of championships, the Chicago Blackhawks need to start building for the future.

The team needs to develop more young talent that can be relied upon to contribute on cheaper contracts. While it has done a decent job of that up front with recent draftees Alex DeBrincat and Nick Schmaltz, goaltending is a position that has not been adequately addressed.

While the Blackhawks drafted Wouter Peeters in the third round last year, he is still a great unknown having yet to come over from Austria. Corey Crawford is only 32 years old with three years left on his contract, but his successor is nowhere in sight. 

With the team still being in contention in the Western Conference and its skaters pool being decent, Chicago can take a chance in the first round on a goaltender, and one sticks out among the rest.

Jake Oettinger was outstanding in his freshman season at Boston University, and the big 18-year-old has the measurables to go along with his talent, which Sportsnet provided:

#1 Top NA Goaltender Jake Oettinger will go through the @NHL Combine this Saturday. Coverage starts at 9:30am ET: https://t.co/q1KNVOUlN0 pic.twitter.com/IiZbocykIc

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 1, 2017

In addition to his 2.11 goals-against average, Oettinger posted a 21-11-3 mark to go with a sparkling .927 save percentage as he emphatically snatched the starting job away from 23-year-old junior Connor LaCouvee. 

Especially with Scott Darling now off to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Blackhawks need a plan with Crawford entering the latter part of his prime. Oettinger already proved he can step into higher levels of hockey and excel. In three or four years, Crawford could be done in Chicago, and Oettinger could be ready to man the pipes.

    

Statistics are courtesy of hockeydb.com. Contract information courtesy of CapFriendly.com.

The NHL's postseason is known for nail-biting excitement, and the opening matchups of the 2017 playoffs certainly lived up that billing. 

All four Game 2s on Saturday come on the heels of one-goal finishes, including one overtime matchup. Whether it is young players for the Boston Bruins impressing or a maligned goaltender shining, the playoffs seem to bring unexpected moments each night.

Let us take a look at Saturday's schedule, along with predictions for each contest. Continue for a preview of two of the day's top storylines.

Eastern Conference
Western Conference
Matchup	Start Time (ET)	Network	Live Stream	Game 2 Prediction
Boston Bruins at Ottawa Senators	3 p.m.	NBC	NBC Sports Live	Bruins
Toronto Maple Leafs at Washington Capitals	7 p.m.	NBCSN	NBC Sports Live	Capitals
Matchup	Start Time (ET)	Network	Live Stream
Nashville Predators at Chicago Blackhawks	8 p.m.	NBC	NBC Sports Live	Blackhawks
Calgary Flames at Anaheim Ducks	10:30 p.m.	NBCSN	NBC Sports Live	Ducks

Boston Leaning New Addition

The play of the 20-year-old David Pastrnak, 70 points in 75 games, was arguably the biggest surprise of the Bruins' season along with Brad Marchand's scoring outburst. Pastrnak continued to excel in Game 1, with an assist on Marchand's game-winner, but a new fresh face became the story of Boston's win.

Charlie McAvoy stepped right from Boston University, where he put up 26 points as a freshman, into a top-pairing role on Thursday night. In his NHL debut, McAvoy looked fluid in his decision-making while displaying a rare comfort level in his own zone.

The 19-year-old also manned the point on the power play, and he ended up playing absurd minutes for a player getting his first taste of pro action, per WEEI's Scott McLaughlin:

Ice time leaders:
Chara- 25:23
McAvoy- 24:11
Karlsson- 23:55

— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin9) April 13, 2017

McAvoy's pinch also led to Marchand's third-period tally, and Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy praised his and Pastrnak's play, per Comcast SportsNet New England's Joe Haggerty: "Those are the guys you want in the lineup, the ones who want the puck on their stick with the game on the line in big moments. The more guys like that we can grow, develop and integrate into the lineup, the better off we're going to be. It rubs off on the older guys."

With Torey Krug out, McAvoy already becomes arguably Boston's best puck mover. This is essential against an Ottawa Senators team that relies on forcing turnovers with a hard forecheck to make up for a lack of offensive firepower.

With a world-class goaltender in Tuukka Rask backing them, the Bruins and their defensive unit should feel comfortable using its speed to attack the Senators. The discrepancy in skill was apparent in Game 1, and Boston should continue to exploit that on Saturday.

   

Can Nashville Rely on Pekka Rinne?

With at least 30 wins in all six of his past full, injury-free seasons, the Nashville Predators' Pekka Rinne has undoubtedly been one of the league's best netminders in the regular season.

Yet the postseason has been a demon for the 34-year-old. Prior to Thursday's 29-save shutout against the Chicago Blackhawks, Rinne had a mediocre 22-26 playoff record to go with a 2.52 GAA and .912 save percentage. He was able to record his second career playoff shutout, which could be a sign that he may have an extended run of brilliance in him.

The Blackhawks have owned the Predators of late in the playoffs, with Chicago having knocked out its Central Division rival twice since the 2009-10 season. The presence of the Hawks' sustained excellence has hurt Nashville's effort to take the next step as a contender.

Rinne recognized how important this series could be in changing that, per team communications coordinator Brooks Bratten:

Pekka Rinne: “As an organization, I feel like we need to get over this hump and beat this team. It’s a big series for us.” #Preds

— Brooks Bratten (@brooksbratten) April 13, 2017

Nashville did some good things defensively on Thursday to move toward that goal. Rinne was able to see most of Chicago's shots, and the Predators defense was strong in front to limit rebound chances.

Blackhawks forward Ryan Hartman highlighted net traffic as a top factor for Rinne's Game 1 success, per CSN Chicago's Tracey Myers: "I can't stress enough: get in front of his eyes, make it harder for him to see pucks. Hopefully we put one in the net tomorrow."

Unfortunately for Nashville, other factors indicate that Game 1 will not become a trend.

Chicago owned the shot advantage 29-20 despite playing a sloppy game by its standards. The Blackhawks also won in the faceoff dot with a 31-24 advantage, giving the ultra-skilled team plenty of puck possession and defensive security. 

Nashville struggled to create consistent offense, and Rinne has not done enough in his postseason career to earn the belief that he can carry the Predators. An experienced, championship-caliber team like Chicago will surely find a way to bury some opportunities on Saturday, especially in its home building. Expect the Blackhawks to even this series up.

  

Statistics are courtesy of Hockey Reference.

The Washington Capitals will look to end their postseason woes with possibly their best team ever, and the Chicago Blackhawks start their journey towards another title when the second night of the 2017 NHL Playoffs begin Thursday. 

Since Alex Ovechkin arrived in the nation's capital, Washington has not advanced past the second round of the playoffs despite three President's Trophies. With the addition of Kevin Shattenkirk, the Capitals are more primed than ever to break through with a Stanley Cup, but can the upstart Toronto Maple Leafs ride their young talent to a stunning series win? 

Also, the Blackhawks have a shot to become an established dynasty with their fourth championship since 2010. The team still has its stars, but its depth players will need to step up to get through a tough series with the Nashville Predators. 

With that in mind, here is a look at the television and live-stream schedule for Thursday. Continue for a breakdown of each series featuring each conference's top seed.

Eastern Conference
Western Conference
Matchup	Start Time (ET)	Network	Live Stream
Toronto Maple Leafs at Washington Capitals	7 p.m.	USA Network	NBC Sports Live
Matchup	Start Time (ET)	Network	Live Stream
Nashville Predators at Chicago Blackhawks	8 p.m.	NBCSN	NBC Sports Live
Calgary Flames at Anaheim Ducks	10:30 p.m.	NBCSN	NBC Sports Live

Washington vs. Toronto

On paper, it seems the Capitals should be able easily handle a Toronto team that perhaps overachieved this season. Three of the Maple Leafs' top five scorers in Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews and William Nylander eclipsed the 60-point mark despite being 20 years old or younger.

Washington simply has the best team in the NHL. It is loaded with elite offensive personnel in Nicklas Backstrom, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Ovechkin to go with four lines that bring different levels of grit while still being able to chip in on the scoreboard. The team saw 11 different forwards pot at least 10 goals this season. As a result, the Capitals finished third in the NHL with 3.18 goals per game.

Defensively, this is as complete a squad as you will find. Goaltender Braden Holtby and the Capitals took the William Jennings Trophy for the second straight season as they led the NHL in goals against.

Holtby is the reigning Vezina Trophy winner, but his defensive unit is stout in its own end while still being able to move the puck and create offense. John Carlson, Matt Niskanen and Dmitry Orlov each topped 30 points this season.

The only substantial reason why this team is not the overwhelming favorite to win a title is its past history. There is some reason behind this, since the Capitals have a history of flopping after regular season success.

ESPN's John Buccigross provided a look at Washington's postseason struggles:

Capitals have 9 seasons with at least 100 points. In those seasons, Washington has never made it past the 2nd round. #ThisIsTheYear

— BucciOT.Com (@Buccigross) April 12, 2017

This could help provide a Toronto team that is outmatched in every personnel category to have some hope in this series.

The Maple Leafs are an exciting young underdog that really has nothing to lose, which could ease some pressure from the team and help it play loose. Toronto also proved it can play well under high-stakes, since it was able to earn a playoff spot despite the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning chasing it for the past three weeks.

Toronto may be able to sneak a win at what promises to be an electric Air Canada Centre, but it appears to be catching a juggernaut squad that happens to be drenched with motivation. Expect Washington to advance in this matchup.

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Nashville Predators

The Blackhawks are perennial contenders in the Western Conference, and this season is no different.

Patrick Kane is still typically dominant with 89 points in 82 games, and arguably no active player is more dangerous at this time of year, as Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times and Sportsnet note:

5 OT-winners.
3 series-enders.
1 Cup-clincher.
Nobody thrives in the biggest moments like Patrick Kane. My story: https://t.co/Nhkpe3F68b pic.twitter.com/YjKr758JOM

— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) April 12, 2017

Most postseason goals since 2007#Pens Sidney Crosby 49
Patrick Kane 49#Pens Evgeni Malkin 48

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) April 12, 2017

Artemi Panarin, 74 points, and Jonathan Toews, 58 points and a 54.9 percent faceoff mark, continue to excel up front. On the back end, Duncan Keith racked up 53 points while Brent Seabrook recorded 39 points.

Unlike in previous years, Chicago does not have a slew of high-caliber supporting players like Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd, Brandon Saad, Patrick Sharp and Andrew Shaw to help carry the load. Marian Hossa is now 38 years old, and a guy like Artem Anisimov is more of a steady two-way center than a serious scoring threat.

Depth players like Ryan Hartman, Tanner Kero and Nick Schmaltz will likely make their playoff debuts, and top-six forward Richard Panik, 44 points, only has eight postseason games under his belt. These players will need to step up to take pressure off of Chicago's top players while not being defensive liabilities. Head coach Joel Quenneville knows this, per Lazerus.

"We'll need these guys to be important players, like they were most of the season," coach Joel Quenneville said. "We've had a number of guys that have come in and played some key situations for us. ... They're going to get important ice time."

Chicago will need a complete team effort against a dangerous Nashville squad. 

The Predators possess a potent top line in stud center Ryan Johansen along with 30-goal scorers Viktor Arvidsson and Filip Forsberg. Ryan Ellis, Roman Josi and P.K. Subban lead an outstanding defensive group, but Nashville historically struggles with Chicago.

The Blackhawks won the previous two playoff series with the Predators, and they owned Nashville to a 4-1 mark this past regular season. Thus, the performance of Pekka Rinne will play a pivotal factor in how this matchup will go.

Despite long being one of the NHL's top netminders, Rinne has not been great in the postseason throughout his career. Here are his modest numbers:

Games Started	Wins	Losses	GAA	Save Percentage	Shutouts
48	22	26	2.52	.912	1

Those marks will have to improve for Nashville to have a shot. The Predators can certainly skate with Chicago, and this series looks destined to go at least six games. However, it is tough to bet against the Blackhawks here given their experience and success against the Predators.

Statistics are courtesy of NHL.com unless otherwise noted.