Keith finished the preseason with no goals and four assists in four games played. Keith continues to be considered one of the league's top defensemen after he won the Norris Trophy last season. Although he only scored six goals he had a whopping 55 assists, leading all defensemen in assists in 2013-14. Look for Keith to remain a premier defender and should be one of the top defensemen taken in drafts this year.

Duncan Keith was awarded his second career James Norris Trophy Tuesday as the NHL's top defenseman. The Chicago blueliner experienced a fantastic season in 2013-14 and beat out Boston's Zdeno Chara and Nashville's Shea Weber for the honor. Minnesota's Ryan Suter and the Blues' Alex Pietrangelo rounded out the top five vote-getters for the award.

Duncan Keith is regarded as the favorite to win the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman. He is listed as 10/11 favorite to take Norris honors according to oddsmakers. Zdeno Chara is listed as 8/5, while Shea Weber is listed as 4/1. The Trophy will be awarded next week in Las Vegas.

Chicago struggled defensively against Los Angeles in the Western Conference Final. The Kings ended up winning the series in Game 7 after Chicago conceded the lead three times. Their worst collapse though came in Game 2 when the Blackhawks had a 2-0 lead late in the second period and Los Angeles responded with six unanswered goals. "Obviously we gave up a lot of leads this series, especially," Duncan Keith said. "You go back to Game 2, we had the lead going into the third. I don't know. We played hard, but it just seemed like obviously you've got to give L.A. a lot of credit. They were resilient and never gave up. In Game 7, overtime, anything can happen."

The Chicago Blackhawks are understandably upbeat after closing the 3-1 series deficit against the Los Angeles Kings. "We're excited but nothing's done yet. We understand that," Duncan Keith said . "We've given ourselves the opportunity to play in that Game 7, to have a chance to move on, and I think that's what we're excited about." Game 7 will be played Sunday night. If Chicago wins, this will be the second straight campaign they will have overcome a 3-1 series deficit. They were in that position against the Detroit Red Wings in the second round of the 2013 playoffs.

Duncan Keith registered his fourth goal of the postseason in Friday's 4-3 victory over Los Angeles in Game 6 of the Western Conference Final. His third-period tally tied the game at 3-3 and the Kings' momentum when it looked like Chicago was going to be eliminated. He is currently tied for second among defensemen in goals during the 2014 playoffs; one marker behind Montreal's P.K. Subban and Los Angeles' Jake Muzzin. Keith has picked up 11 points in 18 games.

Duncan Keith recorded a point in his third straight game, but the Hawks collapsed in the third period in a 6-2 loss to the Kings on Wednesday night. Keith has 10 points in 14 playoff games with a +5 rating. The Blackhawks were oh so close to building a 2-0 series lead on the rival Kings in Game 2, but Chicago imploded and allowed six straight goals in the final 22 minutes to fall 6-2 and lose home ice advantage in the Western Final.

Duncan Keith scored his third goal of the playoffs in Sunday's 3-1 win over Los Angeles to begin Round 3. He scored the game-winning goal in the second period when his point shot was deflected off the stick of the Kings' forward Trevor Lewis. The shot took a wicked hop and went over Jonathan Quick. Keith has nine points in 13 postseason contests.

Duncan Keith earned an assist in Tuesday's Game 6 overtime win over Minnesota. He picked up a helper on Patrick Kane's series-clinching marker to send Chicago into the third round of the playoffs. The point was Keith's first of the series after he had two goals and five assists in six matches versus St. Louis in Round 1.

Duncan Keith complemented the ice at Xcel Energy Center, where the Blackhawks will play Game 3 against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night. "The ice is going to be a factor," Keith said. "It doesn't really get talked about, but sometimes when you go into another building and the ice is so good, it makes you feel good. You're skating a little bit faster, the puck's moving quicker, your shots come off harder and it's a good feeling." Not having to share their ice with an NBA squad is a prime reason for a better sheet. Mobile players like Keith benefit from a smoother surface, which should make for a quickly-paced game. He has seven points in eight contests during these playoffs.