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Chicago Blackhawks Morning Links: Kempny, Caps Go Up 2-0 On Bolts

By Aaron Goldschmidt

TAMPA, FL - MAY 11: Washington Capitals defender defender Michal Kempny (6) during the first period of the first game of the NHL Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Finals between the Washington Capitals and the Tampa Bay Lightning on May 11, 2018, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - MAY 11: Washington Capitals defender defender Michal Kempny (6) during the first period of the first game of the NHL Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Finals between the Washington Capitals and the Tampa Bay Lightning on May 11, 2018, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Washington Capitals have found value in former Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Michal Kempny at the trade deadline

At the beginning of the season, a lot of people picked the Tampa Bay Lightening to represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Final.  But on Sunday night, they lost their second consecutive home game to the Washington Capitals and now have to travel to Washington, D.C., and win in a hostile environment at the Verizon Center.

In a recent article by Yahoo Sports, the Capitals describe a trade-deadline acquisition that was said to have saved their season.  The trade was with the Chicago Blackhawks, sending a third-round pick to Chicago for Michal Kempny.

Kempny has a goal and an assist so far in these playoffs for the Capitals, but more importantly he is logging essential minutes.  Kempny averages around 17 minutes per game and plays alongside top defenseman John Carlson.

It’s interesting the Blackhawks’ top priority this summer is to find more help on the blue line, specifically a top-four defenseman, yet it looks like they just traded one away.

In what was a logjam of mediocre defensemen this season, Kempny could never crack the lineup consistently.  And when he did, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville would never let him or other players play through mistakes.  The Capitals put Kempny in a position where he could succeed, and it’s paying off for them so far.

In Blackhawks news, Team USA defeated Norway to win its sixth game in a row.  Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane continue to have chemistry and success together.

IceHogs update

The Rockford IceHogs swept the Manitoba Moose on Friday night, advancing to the AHL Western Conference finals against the Texas Stars.  Game 1 kicks off Friday night in Rockford.  Here are the start times for the rest of the series.

Western Conference Finals – Series “N” (best-of-7)

P2-Texas Stars vs. C4-Rockford IceHogs
Game 1 – Fri., May 18 – Rockford at Texas, 8:00
Game 2 – Sun., May 20 – Rockford at Texas, 6:00
Game 3 – Tue., May 22 – Texas at Rockford, 8:00
Game 4 – Thu., May 24 – Texas at Rockford, 8:00
*Game 5 – Fri., May 25 – Texas at Rockford, 8:00
*Game 6 – Mon., May 28 – Rockford at Texas, 8:00
*Game 7 – Tue., May 29 – Rockford at Texas, 8:00
*if necessary … all times Eastern

We hope you have a great start to your week.

-Blackhawk Up

Morning links

  • Dustin Byfuglien poses big problem for Golden Knights – Chicago Tribune
  • The trade that saved the Caps’ season – Yahoo Sports
  • Anthony Duclair surprises mom with car on Mother’s Day – NHL.com
  • Chicago Wolves give $34k to Humboldt Broncos – NBC 6
  • IceHogs’ Collin Delia earning valuable playoff experience – Chicago Tribune
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