Two bits of good news for Blackhawks fans this morning:
1. Defenseman Kimmo Timonen, injured Sunday, should be ready for the playoffs, even though he’s not on the regular season-ending trip to St. Louis (tonight) and Colorado (Saturday).
2. Patrick Kane is “ratcheting up” the contact back home in Chicago. The star winger is looking more and more like he could play in the first round, a possibility the club has not ruled out.
Any optimism remains cautious, however:
Q hesitated to say "full contact" and said Kane's medical clearance hasn't changed, but things are "ratcheting up" as he skates back home.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) April 9, 2015
The ‘Hawks enter tonight’s game against the Blues on a two-game losing streak. It’s highly likely they’ll play either Nashville or St. Louis in the first round.