[8:30 PM] Avalanche @ Blackhawks

Who will WIN this matchup?

Colorado Avalanche (11-19-1)

@ Chicago Blackhawks (22-9-4)

 

Starting Goalies:

Calvin Pickard (COL): Unconfirmed

Corey Crawford(CHI): Confirmed

 

• The Chicago Blackhawks attempt to begin a new point streak when they continue their four-game homestand Friday against the Colorado Avalanche. Chicago, which entered Thursday atop the league with 48 points, earned at least one in seven consecutive contests (6-0-1) before dropping a 4-3 decision to Ottawa on Tuesday to fall to 1-1-0 on the current stretch at United Center.

• Matt Duchene is the lone member of the team with a goal total in double digits (12) as the club ranks last in the league in tallies (65) and goal differential (minus-40). Colorado has been shut out seven times already this season and been limited to one goal on six occasions — including three this month. Veteran forward Rene Bourque has cooled off considerably, scoring just once in his last 10 games after registering eight tallies in his first 19 contests.

• Artem Anisimov, who has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury, officially was placed on injured reserve. The 28-year-old Russian has recorded 14 goals and 13 assists in 32 contests this season after reaching the 20-goal plateau last campaign for the second time in his career. To help fill the void, Chicago recalled center Tanner Kero, who notched a goal and two assists in 17 games with the club last season, from Rockford of the American Hockey League.

• Crawford was activated from injured reserve Wednesday while fellow G Lars Johansson was assigned to Rockford.

• Colorado RW Jarome Iginla’s next point will be the 1,282nd of his career, breaking a tie with Alex Delvecchio for 34th place on the all-time list.

• Chicago LW Richard Panik scored his ninth goal of the season Tuesday, leaving him two shy of tying his career high set in 2014-15 with Toronto.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Chicago Blackhawks

Confidence: 7/10

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