Brandon Saad News

MAY 15: Daniel Carcillo #13 and Brent Seabrook #7 of the Chicago Blackhawks talk at the end of a win against the Detroit Red Wings in Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center on May 15, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois.

The past two weeks have been very kind to the Chicago Blackhawks in terms of NHL Awards nominations.

The Wings left the United Center on Saturday afternoon with a 4-1 victory banked on the hard work especially of their captain, Henrik Zetterberg, who had two assists.

Before Game 1 of the Chicago Blackhawks' series with the Detroit Red Wings, head coach Joel Quenneville wanted to send a message to several of his players whose performance he was dissatisfied with.

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock got to know Jonathan Toews when he coached the Blackhawks captain in the 2010 Olympics and came away impressed with the person as well as the player.

The Red Wings and Blackhawks will be meeting for the last time as Western Conference foes in this series.

UNITED CENTER Blackhawks forward Viktor Stalberg failed to get out head coach Joel Quenneville's doghouse in time for the start of the Western Conference Semifinals and will not play in Game 1 against the Red Wings Wednesday night.

After a 3-0 win in Game 4 and a 5-1 decision in the series clincher, the Blackhawks wound up outscoring the Wild by a 17-7 margin in the series.

May 9, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Viktor Stalberg skates with the puck against the Minnesota Wild during the first period in game five of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center.

Apr 12, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; The Chicago Blackhawks celebrate a victory against the Detroit Red Wings at the United Center.

Pine-Richland graduate and Chicago Blackhawks left wing Brandon Saad is one of the three finalists for the Calder Trophy, given to the NHL's top rookie.

Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews grabs his hand after after bumping it as the Blackhawks defeated the Minnesota Wild, 5-1, in Game 5 on May 9, 2013.

He was in and out of the lineup as he separated his shoulder on March 6 against the Colorado Avalanche in the last game before the Hawks unbeaten streak came to an end.

The Blackhawks played as well as they had to against an injury depleted Minnesota Wild team in the first round.

Practice was long over when Joel Quenneville was stopped by two young boys waiting to get on the ice.

Thanks to 21 saves from Corey Crawford and two goals and an assist from Marian Hossa, the Chicago Blackhawks advanced to the second round of the playoffs with a 5-1 win over the Minnesota Wild in Game 5 of this Western Conference quarterfinal series.

This is uncharted territory for Brandon Saad. His body's never been taxed like this, his mind has never been tested like this.

This time goaltender Antti Niemi has been named a finalist for the 2013 Vezina Trophy, given to the top goaltender in the NHL.

The Chicago Blackhawks were beaten the last game in the corners, along the boards and by an overtime goal for the Minnesota Wild.

Award season in the NHL is always a fun/awkward/nonsensical time. Fans find themselves all riled up over awards that mean absolutely nothing to them as individuals.