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DETROIT -- This was the slap in the face, the splash of cold water. Not necessarily one the Chicago Blackhawks needed, but one they knew was coming. During any long playoff run for a Stanley Cup contender, there are moments when a big shove back f...

The last time Original Six rivals the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks met in the playoffs was in the 2009 Western Conference finals, with the Blackhawks the young bucks still figuring things out and the Red Wings the veteran contenders en ro...

The lockout-shortened regular season has come and gone, and 16 teams are moving on. Pierre LeBrun takes a look at the survivors and identifies five candidates for the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Brad Marchand's production is just one reason the B's are Cup contenders.

A quarter of the way into the season, we're starting to see some separation in the NHL standings. Using some detailed statistical analysis, Neil Greenberg provides the playoff odds for the contenders, pretenders and those who should be booking tee times.

Story | Conversation | February 12, 2013

Former Chicago Blackhawks great Bobby Hull said he believes the Blackhawks have what it takes to compete for another Stanley Cup this season. "I think from what they've shown in the beginning they have as good a team as any in the NHL," Hull said ...

Hot Button: Are the Blackhawks Stanley Cup contenders?...

Hockey Prospectus projects how each NHL team will fare during the shortened 2012-13 season using HP's VUKOTA projection system. Which clubs will be contenders, bubble teams or cellar-dwellers?

Story | Conversation | January 07, 2013

Alvin Chang continues his series of ranking the NHL's general managers by their drafting prowess. Today, the Central division is up, and Detroit's Ken Holland leads the way.

Blog | Conversation | March 28, 2012

Kari Lehtonen is key to the Stars' chances of making a return to the playoffs.

As teams approach the NHL trade deadline, even top contenders like the Red Wings are looking for help. Hockey Prospectus examines how they can do so and what the rest of the Central division will do leading up to the trade deadline.

Story | Conversation | February 16, 2012

ESPN Insider Neil Greenberg breaks down his top candidates for the Selke Trophy, writing that while there are numerous forwards worthy of consideration, any discussion has to begin with Boston's Patrice Bergeron.

Story | Conversation | February 08, 2012

As the trade deadline nears, Alvin Chang examines every team's weaknesses in their Playoff Power Meter portfolio and sees which players mentioned in NHL Rumor Central could help make playoff teams into bona fide Cup contenders.

Story | Conversation | February 07, 2012

With the trade deadline creeping ever closer, Corey Pronman takes a look at some of the top prospects for likely potential buyers who could be offered up in exchange for that mythical missing piece, starting with the Detroit Red Wings.

Blog | Conversation | February 03, 2012

Craig Custance writes that the St. Louis Blues are heading into a challenging stretch of their schedule and may soon be forced to face some tricky trade deadline decisions.

Blog | Conversation | February 02, 2012

Alvin Chang looks at how the St. Louis Blues have created a Stanley Cup contender. Unlike most teams that rebuild through top-10 picks, the Blues have rebuilt through mid-first-round and second-round picks.

Blog | Conversation | January 24, 2012