Game 37 Preview: Colorado Avalanche at Chicago Blackhawks
By Andrew Dill
Nov 19, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche defensemen Erik Johnson (6) battles Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) for the puck in front of Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov (1) during the first period at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The Colorado Avalanche (23-10-3) resume action Friday night after a four-day break as they take on the Chicago Blackhawks (26-7-6). The Blackhawks currently sit atop the Central Division with 58 points, while the Avalanche sit in third place behind the St. Louis Blues at 49 points.
What: Colorado Avalanche at Chicago Blackhawks
When: Friday, December 27th
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Time: 8:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM MT
TV: Altitude Sports
The Colorado Avalanche are coming off of their second-straight shootout loss; Saturday afternoon to the Los Angeles Kings and Monday night against the San Jose Sharks. Colorado trailed 3-2 heading into the third period as they scored two in the third to send it into overtime. The Avalanche failed to score in the shootout as Logan Couture and Patrick Marleau sealed the victory for the Sharks.
Colorado will face a tough Blackhawks team who they have already defeated earlier this season. They went on to rout the defending Stanley Cup Champion on November 19th at the Pepsi Center. Paul Stastny, Gabriel Landeskog, John Mitchell, P.A. Parenteau, and Cody McLeod would all score goals for the Avalanche in the 5-1 win. Most importantly, goaltender Semyon Varlamov was brilliant. Varly would save 36-of-37 shots on net, .973% save percentage, as Chicago out-shot Colorado, 37-23. Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa (lower body) and Avalanche center Matt Duchene (strained oblique) did not play.
Who’s Hot:
Colorado Avalanche: Erik Johnson. The defenseman has scored goals in back-to-back games for the Avs, recording four in Colorado’s last five games.
Chicago Blackhawks: Patrick Sharp: Sharp has 10 goals in the Blackhawks last 14 games.
Last Ten Games:
Colorado Avalanche: 4-3-3
Chicago Blackhawks: 6-2-2
Projected Starting Goaltenders:
Colorado Avalanche: Jean-Sebastien Giguere: 7-2-0, 1.96 GAA, .935% save percentage.
Chicago Blackhawks: Antti Raanta: 8-1-2, 2.20 GAA, .916% save percentage.
Injury Wire:
Colorado Avalanche: OUT: Alex Tanguay (knee).
Chicago Blackhawks: OUT: Goalies Corey Crawford (lower body) and Nikolai Khabibulin (lower body).
Updated Central Division Standings:
[table id=4 /]
Team Leaders:
Points:
Colorado Avalanche: Matt Duchene, 34.
Chicago Blackhawks: Patrick Kane, 49.
Goals:
Colorado Avalanche: Matt Duchene, 16.
Chicago Blackhawks: Patrick Kane, 22.
Assists:
Colorado Avalanche: Matt Duchene, 18.
Chicago Blackhawks: Duncan Keith, 30.
Plus/Minus (+/-):
Colorado Avalanche: Jan Hejda, +19.
Chicago Blackhawks: Brent Seabrook, +19.
Goals Against Average:
Colorado Avalanche: Jean-Sebastien Giguere, 1.96.
Chicago Blackhawks: Antti Raanta, 2.20.