LOS ANGELES -- The Chicago Blackhawks are using seven defensemen in Game 6 of the Western Conference Final against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center (9 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, RDS).

Sheldon Brookbank is in the lineup, replacing left wing Kris Versteeg with the Blackhawks trying to stay alive to force Game 7 in Chicago on Sunday. Los Angeles leads the best-of-7 series 3-2.

CHICAGO -- Desperate times have brought about desperate measures for the Chicago Blackhawks, who completely re-imagined their defense pairs for Game 5 of the Western Conference Final.

Trailing the Los Angeles Kings 3-1 in the best-of-7 series and facing a must-win in Game 5 at United Center on Wednesday (8 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, RDS), the Blackhawks broke up the top pair of Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook in attempt to reverse a three-game losing streak in which they have allowed 15 goals.

Second-pair defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson was promoted to play with Keith, and Seabrook was paired with Nick Leddy, who usually plays on Chicago's third defense pair. The Blackhawks' third pair for Game 5 was Johnny Oduya and Michal Rozsival.

LOS ANGELES -- The Chicago Blackhawks changed the makeup of their fourth line for Game 4 of the Western Conference Final against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on Monday (9 p.m. ET; NBCSN, TNT, RDS).

Center Peter Regin is in the lineup for Chicago, replacing Brandon Bollig.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Changes may well be coming to the Chicago Blackhawks' lineup for Game 4 of the Western Conference Final.

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville is not shy about shaking things up after a loss. Well, Chicago has lost twice in a row now and has been badly outplayed in the final 20 minutes of each of those games. So, if recent history is to be our guide, it appears the lineup could have a new look for Game 4 on Monday at Staples Center (9 p.m. ET, NBCSN, TSN, RDS). Los Angeles leads the best-of-7 series 2-1.

Will it be new players in the lineup? Or will it just be a jumbling of the lines?

LOS ANGELES -- Chicago Blackhawks center Andrew Shaw can't wait to get back into the lineup for Game 3 of the Western Conference Final against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.

He got a taste of what his role will be during practice at Staples Center on Friday afternoon, when he skated with his likely linemates for the game, Brandon Saad and Kris Versteeg.

With Shaw returning to the lineup for Game 3 (8 p.m. ET; NBC, CBC, RDS), center Peter Regin is expected to be relegated to a healthy scratch after a good run on Chicago's fourth line during the past four games. During his time in the lineup, Regin played a little more than 11 minutes per game, but he did not put up any points.

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- It appears the band is back together for the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 6 of the best-of-7 Western Conference Second Round.

Patrick Sharp, Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa were together Tuesday during the morning skate, suggesting they will form the top line when the Blackhawks, who lead the series 3-2, look to advance to the Western Conference Final with a victory in Game 6 against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center (9 p.m. ET; CNBC, RDS2, TSN).

CHICAGO -- There can be no moral victories for the Minnesota Wild now.

After dropping a 2-1 decision to the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 5 of this Western Conference Second Round series at United Center on Sunday night, the Wild are in the all-too-familiar position of needing a win to keep their season alive.

Game 6 at Xcel Energy Center on Tuesday (9 p.m. ET, CNBC, TSN, RDS2) is a win-or-go-home affair for the Wild, who trail the best-of-7 series, 3-2.

It is the same position they were in during the first round against the Colorado Avalanche and they have followed the same path to the brink of elimination, losing three road games and winning twice at Xcel Energy Center.

CHICAGO -- Minnesota Wild defenseman Nate Prosser will replace injured Keith Ballard in Game 5 of the Western Conference Second Round series against the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday at United Center (9 p.m. ET; NBCSN, TSN, RDS).

The best-of-7 Stanley Cup Playoff series is tied 2-2 with the home team having won each of the first four games.

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks will look slightly different for Game 5 of the Western Conference Second Round series against the Minnesota Wild on Sunday at United Center (9 p.m. ET; NBCSN, TSN, RDS).

The best-of-7 Stanley Cup Playoff series is tied 2-2.

Center Peter Regin will be making his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut with Chicago, and left wing Kris Versteeg will be reinserted into the lineup, coach Joel Quenneville said. Quenneville is considering a shakeup of his defense pairings, with Sheldon Brookbank possibly in for Michal Rozsival.

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks will again be without forward Andrew Shaw when they play Game 5 of the Western Conference Second Round against the Minnesota Wild on Sunday at United Center (9 p.m. ET; CNBC, TSN, RDS).

Shaw, out since suffering a lower-body injury in Game 1, is unable to return, coach Joel Quenneville said Saturday. He said Shaw is progressing slightly, but, as of Friday, had yet to resume skating.

"[He’s] felt better the last couple of days, [an] encouraging sign," Quenneville said, "but I wouldn’t expect him [Sunday]."