Hawks-Ducks series games, times finally set

The NHL finally released the schedule for the Western Conference finals, with Game 1 on Sunday at 2 p.m., Chicago time, with the Blackhawks visiting the Ducks at Anaheim. When the puck drops, the Hawks will have gone nine days without playing a game.

"For all of us in here, we probably would have started the series earlier than it's supposed to be," Patrick Kane said. "What are you going to do? That's the way the schedule is. You've got to adjust with it.

"I think we'll use the time off the right way and make sure we're ready for our first game."

Kane stands tall:

Patrick Kane stands barely 5-feet-11 and weighs 181 pounds, but he's not at all worried about facing an Anaheim Ducks team that boasts 17 regulars (not including goalies) who weigh more than 200 pounds.

Fifteen, 20 years ago, Kane said, it might have been a different story, and some guys his size might have had a difficult time making it to the NHL.

"I think with the rule changes and the way the game's changed as far as what you can do defensively, I think small guys are able to get away with a little bit more, be a little more productive," Kane said. "I think it's good for the game. There's still a lot of dominant players who are big and strong - the (Corey) Perry's and the (Ryan) Getzlaf's of the world - but when you're on the ice … I don't tend to think about my size."

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