Colorado Avalanche (25–24–11) vs Chicago Blackhawks (26–26–9)
6:30pm CST
United Center
TV/Radio: NBCSCH/WGN
PROJECTED STARTERS
Chicago – Cam Ward (14–9–4, SV%: .894, GAA: 3.69)
Colorado – Semyon Varlamov (16–15–8, SV%: .911, GAA: 2.79)
TEAM STATISTICS
Power Play
Chicago (21.7%, 11th)
Colorado (21.9%, 8th)
Penalty Kill
Chicago (73.5%, 31st)
Colorado (77.3%, 26th)
Shorts for/against
Chicago (31.7, 17th; 35.4, 30th)
Colorado (32.8, 7th; 31.3, T16th)
Shooting %
Chicago (10.6%, 7th)
Colorado (9.9%, 12th)
Faceoff %
Chicago (49.8%, 18th)
Colorado (48.4%, T25th)
Avg. height/weight
Chicago 6’1”, 195lbs
Colorado 6’1” 201lbs
PROJECTED LINES/PAIRINGS
Chicago Blackhawks
Drake Caggiula–Jonathan Toews–Patrick Kane
Alex DeBrincat–Dylan Strome–Dominik Kahun
Brandon Saad–Artem Anisimov–Dylan Sikura
Chris Kunitz–Marcus Kruger–John Hayden
Slater Koekkoek–Erik Gustafsson
Colorado Avalanche
Alexander Kerfoot–Nathan MacKinnon–Sven Andrighetto
Matthew Nieto–Carl Soderberg–Mikko Rantanen
Gabriel Landeskog–Tyson Jost–Matt Calvert
A.J. Greer–Andrew Agozzino–J.T. Compher
Analysis
After nearly blowing a 4-1 lead in Detroit, the Blackhawks return home for two critical games at the United Center on Friday and Sunday. First, the Blackhawks host the Avalanche who, with a win, they will pass for a spot in the wild card standings. Sunday also proves meaningful, as the first wild card team, the Dallas Stars, come to town.
Patrick Kane extended his point streak to 18 games in Detroit. His overtime winner capped off a two-goal performance, which saw his assist streak come to an end. Nonetheless, Patrick Kane continues to make a great case for MVP this season, especially if the Blackhawks squeak into the playoffs.
The Colorado Avalanche come into Friday’s game with momentum, after defeating the first place Winnipeg Jets 7-1. The Avalanche hope to bring that momentum to the United Center on Friday night to fend off the red-hot Blackhawks from jumping them in the standings. The Avalanche have won three of their last four games after losing eight straight games dating back to January 21st.
The Avalanche’s top line has been split up since the early part of the season. Once upon a time, Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen were three of the hottest players in the league. Now, despite still being very good, none of the players are playing together on a line as Colorado has tried jump-starting their team after their awful cold streak.