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Morning Chirps: IceHogs' season ends, busy start to Stanley Cup Playoffs

The Rockford IceHogs' disappointing season ends with another blowout loss in the Lone Star State.
ByGreg Boysen|
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Apr 18, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley (55)and Minnesota Wild left wing Marcus Foligno (17) battle for the puck in the corner in the first period in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Apr 18, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley (55)and Minnesota Wild left wing Marcus Foligno (17) battle for the puck in the corner in the first period in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images | Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

The puck dropped on the Stanley Cup Playoffs yesterday. There is another full slate on tap today with four more first-round series opening. The day starts off with the Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings (2 p.m. CT), then the Tampa Lightning and Montreal Canadiens (4:45 p.m. CT), followed by the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins (6:30 p.m. CT), and concluding with the Vegas Golden Knights and Utah Mammoth (9 p.m. CT).

Blackhawks Chirps

  • As we’ve noted numerous times, general manager Kyle Davidson has a busy summer ahead of him. The first order of business is to sign Connor Bedard to his second contract. There is no doubt a deal will get done, and it sounds like it will be sooner rather than later. The question is, how will the new contract look? Justin Lynch gave us an idea of what it might look like.
  • The Rockford IceHogs’ disappointing season came to an end with another 5-1 loss to the Texas Stars. Samuel Savoie had the final goal of the season. Goaltender Stanislav Berezhnoy made his return to the lineup after serving a 20-game suspension for PEDs. He allowed five goals on 36 shots in his first game since Feb. 6. The IceHogs finished in last place of the Central Division with 61 points. Next season should be more exciting with a new crop of prospects turning pro and adding to the talent pool.
  • Frank and I discussed what the IceHogs might look like next year on the latest episode of the Second Balcony. We also put a bow on the end of the Blackhawks season and what Davidson needs to do in the offseason for this team to take the next step.
  • On this date in 1962, Stan Mikita scored twice in the Blackhawks 8-4 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Semifinals. His two second-period goals gave him a new NHL record for the most points in a single playoff with 21.
  • In 1970, Phil Esposito scored a hat trick on his brother Tony as the Boston Bruins completed a four-game sweep of the Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Semifinals.
  • In 1996, Ed Belfour stopped all 33 shots he faced to record his third career postseason shutout to lead the Blackhawks to a 3-0 win over the Calgary Flames in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
  • Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, April 19: Martin Havlat and Spencer Knight.

NHL Chirps

  • The Stanley Cup Playoffs started with the Carolina Hurricanes shutting out the Ottawa Senators 2-0. Logan Stankoven and former Blackhawk Taylor Hall both had a goal and an assist to lead the offense. Goaltender Frederik Andersen made 22 saves for his sixth career postseason shutout. Game 2 is Monday night at 6:30 p.m. CT.
  • The Minnesota Wild smoked the Dallas Stars 6-1 in the first game of their anticipated series. Matt Boldy and Joel Eriksson Ek led the way with two goals and an assist. Former Blackhawk Ryan Hart had a goal and an assist. Rookie Jesper Wallstedt made 27 saves to earn the victory in his first Stanley Cup Playoff start. Don’t write off the Stars just yet. They lost their postseason opener to the Colorado Avalanche 5-1 last year and won the series. They will look to rebound in Game 2, Monday night at 8:30 p.m. CT.
  • The best game of the day was the first game of the Battle of Pennsylvania, as the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2. Rookie Porter Martone, who was playing for Michigan State three weeks ago, scored the game-winning goal. Game 2 kicks off Monday’s schedule at 6 p.m. CT.
  • The Anaheim Ducks will play their first playoff game since 2018 tomorrow night. On Saturday, they added another piece of their future by signing 2025 first-round pick Roger McQueen to his entry-level contract. The deal kicks in at the start of next season. He’s been playing in the AHL on an amateur tryout with the San Diego Gulls, and has a goal and three points in six games.
  • The Lightning will start their series against the Canadiens today without the services of defenseman Victor Hedman. Head coach Jon Cooper told reporters that he is back with the team and skating but will not play in the next two games. Hedman will travel with the team for Games 3 and 4, so he might return at some point in the first round. Former Blackhawks draft pick Dominic James, who has been out with a leg injury since February, could return to the lineup for Game 1.
  • NHL Birthday Roll Call, April 19: Rich Lemieux, Randy Carlyle, Robyn Regehr, Jusse Saros, Patrik Laine, Maxwell Crozier, and Benjamin Kindel.
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