CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings have taken similar paths toward the top, hitting big in the draft and making shrewd moves after rough stretches. Bill Bates Womens Jersey . They find themselves trying to knock each other out in the Western Conference finals for the second straight year. The Blackhawks prevailed last year on their way to the Stanley Cup, and they have the early lead this time after taking the opener, 3-1. They will try to go up 2-0 when the best-of-seven series resumes Wednesday night in Chicago. "We felt this year were in the toughest division and conference," coach Joel Quenneville said. "We just played two real competitive series (against St. Louis and Minnesota). Every game is tight. I think finding a way to win is what its all about in todays game. Our guys are really diligent of doing the little things particularly that some nights give you an edge." Yes, the Blackhawks keep finding ways. Its why theyre eyeing their third championship in five years and are trying to become the first team to repeat since the Detroit Red Wings in 1997 and 1998. In an era with a hard salary cap where players want raises, thats simply not supposed to happen. Parity is the rule, yet the Blackhawks keep rising toward the top. The same goes for the Kings. Theyre enjoying their most successful era with three straight trips to the conference finals and a Stanley Cup two years ago after following a similar path to the Blackhawks. The Kings missed the playoffs from 2003 to 2009 and lost in the first round in 2010 and 2011 before winning their first championship in 2012. Like the Blackhawks did with Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, they hit in the draft with Anze Kopitar. They also collected a strong cast to support their core and filled in the gaps with key trades, like the one that landed Marian Gaborik from Columbus in March. "You have to be able to adjust to the game, adjust to the rules, adjust to the style," Kings coach Darryl Sutter said. "I think thats a big reason why were both in the conference finals again. Whether we can adjust enough to beat the Stanley Cup champions, I dont know." The Blackhawks missed the playoffs from 2003 to 2008 and landed at rock bottom, with dwindling attendance and an alienated fan base unable to watch home games on TV because then-owner Bill Wirtz believed it would be unfair to season ticketholders. They finally emerged with a run to the conference finals in 2009, losing to Detroit. A year later, they beat Philadelphia to end a 49-year championship drought, only to have to part ways with a huge chunk of their team because of cap issues. So they reloaded. "I think management did excellent job with the team," Chicagos Marian Hossa said. "We got a great coaching staff. I think the whole organization, its top class. ... (Los Angeles) is a great organization also. They did an excellent job the last few years. They did it three times in a row. Its just amazing these two teams battling for the West again." The Kings had a few adjustments to make after losing 3-1 in Game 1. Their top line of Kopitar, Dustin Brown and Gaborik got shut down by Toews line, managing just six shots without scoring. Los Angeles will need more from a trio with 16 goals and 24 assists in the playoffs. Even when the Kings had their chances, Corey Crawford stopped most of them. He made 25 saves with several neat stops, turning back Kyle Clifford on a 2-on-1 rush and stopping Gaborik and Brown in rapid succession. So its the Blackhawks with the early lead in the series and the Kings trying to pick themselves up -- again. They did it after dropping the first three games to San Jose in the first round and then rallied from 3-2 down to knock out Anaheim in the conference semifinals. "San Jose and Anaheim had arguably the top two, three, four best home records this year. We went into those tough buildings and won," Jarrett Stoll said. "Chicago is no different. A tough building. Were going to have to figure out a way to win Game 2 and move on." Emmitt Smith Cowboys Jersey . -- Jay Haas and Peter Jacobsen took the second-round lead Saturday in the Champions Tours Legends of Golf, teaming for a 6-under 48 in windy conditions on the par-3 Top of the Rock course. Bob Lilly Youth Jersey . Patty Mills had 20 points, Tim Duncan had 11 points and 13 rebounds in limited action, and San Antonio rolled to a 110-82 victory over Milwaukee that kept the Bucks winless in the new year. http://www.shoptheofficialcowboys.com/Elite-Ezekiel-Elliott-Cowboys-Jersey/ . Granlund scored 2:04 into the first period. Max Reinhart, on his first NHL shift of the season, neatly stripped the puck from Zack Smith at the Senators blue-line. As he moved in, his attempted shot deflected into the slot where Granlund buried a shot past Craig Anderson.TORONTO - In a matchup between a couple of Atlantic Division rivals, the Raptors will tip off their 19th NBA season at the Air Canada Centre Wednesday night against a Boston Celtics team some may not recognize. Watch the home opener live on TSN2 at 7pm et/4pm pt. "One thing you have to do on opening night, youve got to temper emotions," said Raptors coach Dwane Casey Wednesday morning after shoot-around. "Its hyped up, a lot of glitz and glamour as far as the game is concerned but one thing you have to do, you have to understand its going to be a grind." After an offseason makeover, the Celtics begin a new era with new head coach and former Butler boss Brad Stevens at the helm. The Raptors saw the new-look Celtics twice in the preseason, a 97-89 win in Boston to open the exhibition campaign and a two-point victory at home two weeks ago. "When we played here, I thought it was a good environment," Stevens said on the morning of his first NBA game. "Weve played this team twice. Obviously, we didnt play the guys that are going to play the majority of the minutes as much as theyre going to play tonight." "The task is big enough that Im just focused on that. Im sure Ill feel it a little bit before the game." The Raptors are optimistic heading into the 2013-14 season coming off a strong camp. Theyll enter the new season with the same starting five that closed out 2012-13 on a five-game winning streak, looking to carry over that success into the new year. "I think were a hell of a team," guard DeMar DeRozan boasted. "Were all together. Everybody has each others back from the first guy to the 15th guy. Everybody respects each other and were out here for one goal and thats to win." Trends and Tidbits Toronto finished the preseason with a 6-1 record for the second straight year. The Raptors were one of four teams with one loss or fewer in the exhibition season (Chicago: 7-0, New Orleans: 7-1, Houston: 5-1) after their final game in Milwaukee was cancelled due to unsafe playing conditions on the slippery court. "It all changes tonight," Casey said Wednesday after a successful preseason. "Youll see a different Boston team come in, ready to prove something, with a chip on their shoulder so all the preseason games dont mean anything." The Raptors are 9-9 all-time in season opening games, including 6-6 at the ACC. Theyve split two opening night games against the Celtics, the last meeting coming on Nov. 2, 1999, the first season opener played at the ACC. DeRozan will join Vince Carter, Chris Bosh and Antonio Davis as the fourth player in team history to start in five consecutive opening night games. The fifth-year guard, along with Amir Johnson - who will play in his 300th game as a Raptor Wednesday night - are the longest tenured players on the team. The Raptors will unveil a replacement mascot Wednesday evening after the predecessor suffered a torn Achilles, sidelining him for the entire season. "I understand that they have some things in mind for tonight," Casey acknowledged, playing coy in regards to the teams new mascot. "Im not at liberty to talk about it, its kind of a company secret right now but itll be exciting for our fans. Randall Cobb Cowboys Jersey. " What to Watch For Protect the ball The Raptors were the NBAs third best team taking care of the ball a year ago but struggled with turnovers throughout the preseason. Toronto turned the ball over 20 or more times in four of seven exhibition games, including both meetings with these young and scrappy Celtics. Although the miscues seemed to come from the entire roster, starters and subs, point guard Kyle Lowry had a team-high 17 in the seven games. Lowry will be playing his first game with a protective splint on his injured left ring finger. Although reports out of practice have been positive and Casey has indicated that the injury has not and will not affect Lowrys ability to lead the team at the point of attack, he and the rest of the team will have to shake off the preseason rust on Wednesday. Quick start With a returning starting five, the Raptors have not missed a beat early in games this fall. Toronto has won or tied the first quarter in each of its seven preseason games, shooting 55 per cent and holding opponents to 38 per cent in the opening frame. Torontos experienced first unit should have an advantage over a young, inexperienced Celtics roster out of the gate. Surely they should be viewing this game, against a rebuilding Boston team, as one they must win, especially with a difficult early-season schedule setting in. Following Wednesdays game, 19 of their next 33 contests will be played on the road. "Guys have bought in, we worked hard on it this summer," Casey said. "Even from last year, we worked hard on what we want to do, how we want to play [and] what were going to do when adversity hits. We didnt handle it well at the beginning of last season. It kind of snowballed on us, but weve finally got the ship righted." Who to Watch For DeMar DeRozan The Raptors guard is coming off a strong preseason, leading the team in points (15.3) while shooting an efficient 54 per cent from the field and 82 per cent from the line. "Im just hyped," DeRozan said after shoot-around. "Im more hyped than any other season, especially knowing the work that I put in this summer to be the player I want to be to help this team win. I just cant wait to get out on the court." Kelly Olynyk The Toronto-native and 13th pick of the 2013 draft will play his first NBA regular season game in front of his hometown crowd Wednesday. Olynyk was a standout at the Orlando Summer League and carried over his promising and versatile game into the preseason where he averaged 9.0 points and 4.5 rebounds, including a 13-point, 9-rebound performance in Toronto on Oct. 16. "The young man knows how to play," Casey said of Olynyk, who he called a steal at the 13th pick. "[Hes an] excellent passer, he struggled a little bit from the three but hes very capable. I like his game." Injury Report Steve Novak, who missed most of the preseason with an injury to his right thumb, will be available for the Raptors. Rajon Rondo is still out for Boston, recovering from knee surgery. He hopes to return to the Celtics sometime in December. ' ' '