Chicago Sports Weekly Report: Blackhawks exit playoffs early, Cubs and White Sox lead divisions,

"UNB! Network" Chicago Sports Report

The reigning Stanley Cup champions Chicago Blackhawks will be unable to defend their title this season.

The St. Louis Blues defeated the Blackhawks on Monday to win the first round series.

The Blackhawks, who the previous six seasons have won three Stanley Cups, will have to wait a whole offseason to begin their campaign for another Stanley Cup championship.

White Sox, Cubs lead divisions: The Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs are off to great starts this season.

The White Sox lead the AL Central with a record of 15-6, while the Cubs lead the NL Central with a record of 15-5.

Needless to say, the Cubs pitching has been great so far this season, and many can back that up by saying that Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta threw a no-hitter earlier in the season.

The White Sox, meanwhile, have been moving around catcher Kevan Smith. Smith was recalled by the White Sox on Sunday and was going to make his MLB debut on Monday. However, Smith has back issues before Monday's game, so the White Sox placed him on the DL.

Chicago Sports Weekly Report: Cubs and White Sox off to good starts; Blackhawks trail Blues

"UNB! Network" Chicago Sports Report

The Chicago White Sox are 8-4 in their first 12 games
to start the 2016 MLB season.

Cubs and White Sox off to good starts: Both the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Whit Sox are off to goos starts to the 2016 MLB season. The White Sox currently have a record of 8-4 and lead the AL Central, while the Cubs are 9-3 and lead the NL Central. The White Sox play the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Monday night, while the Cubs also play on Tuesday night, as they will face the St. Louis Cardinals.

Blackhawks trail Blues: The Chicago Blackhawks are in a rough spot in their first round playoff serie. The reigning Stanley Cup champions are trailing the St. Loui Blues in the series 2-1. Game four is on Tuesday, and the Blackhawks will be looking to tie up the series 2-1.

Blackhawks lose playoff opener to Blues in OT

"UNB! Network" Chicago Sports Report

ST LOUIS - The Chicago Blackhawks just could not get the victory against the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday in the teams' playoff openers.

David Backes scored at 10:56 of overtime to give the Blues a 1-0 win and a 1-0 series lead over the Blackhawks.

''We had a number of chances, especially on the power play,'' Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews said. ''I think all four lines can generate a little bit more around the net."

GAME NOTES:
Officials:
Referees: Gord Dwyer, Ghislain Hebert, Eric Furlatt
Linesmen: Michel Cormier, Steve Miller

Head Coaches:
Joel Quenneville (Chicago Blackhawks)
Ken Hitchcock (St. Louis Blues)

Chicago Blackhawks Scratches: Christian Ehrhoff, Duncan Keith, Michael Leighton, Richard Panik, David Rundblad, Dale Weise

St. Louis Blues Scratches: Robert Bortuzzo, Dmitrij Jaskin, Petteri Lindbohm, Anders Nilsson, Magnus Paajarvi