Blackhawks at Avalanche
THE STORY: The Colorado Avalanche completed a
home-and-home sweep of the Chicago Blackhawks during a six-game winning
streak last season. In a scheduling quirk, the red-hot Avalanche will
vie for their sixth straight win on Thursday when they open a
home-and-home set versus the Blackhawks. The Rocky Mountain air has been
a distant memory for Colorado, which hasn't played at home since its
season-opening loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 8. The Avalanche
rebounded with their first perfect five-game road trip in franchise
history, capped by David Jones' overtime winner against the Toronto
Maple Leafs on Monday. Jones now has four goals and an assist in his
last three contests for Colorado, which defeated Chicago in three of the
four meetings last season. The teams will conclude their home-and-home
set at the United Center on Saturday. After that tilt, the Avalanche
will remain on the road when they visit the Northwest Division rival
Calgary Flames. Considering its recent run of success on the road,
Colorado won't mind leaving the Pepsi Center in its rearview mirror.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, CSCH, ALT
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (3-1-1): Marian Hossa returned
after a one-game absence with an upper body injury and ignited Chicago's
dormant power play. With his team mired in a 2-for-17 stretch with the
man advantage, Hossa converted a 5-on-3 power play to lift the
Blackhawks to a 5-2 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes on Tuesday.
Third-liners David Bolland and Bryan Bickell continued their hot play as
the former collected his fourth goal in as many games and the latter
tallied for the second straight contest.
ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (5-1-0): Signed to a two-year, $2.5
million contract in the offseason, Jean-Sebastien Giguere has stopped
42 of 45 shots in his last two contests. Giguere is now one win shy of
Eddie Johnston for 50th place on the all-time list. Special teams have
been a boon for Colorado this season. The Avalanche have scored on seven
of their last 12 power-play opportunities, while thwarting 18 of 20
shorthanded situations this season.
OVERTIME:
1. Chicago has already played one home-and-home series this season. The
Blackhawks dropped a 2-1 road decision to the Dallas Stars on Oct. 7
before rebounding with a 5-2 home win the following night.
2. Colorado's Peter Mueller resumed skating with the team on Wednesday,
but it is not known if he will play on Thursday. He has been sidelined
with an undisclosed injury.