Blackhawks – Avalanche Game 5: Going for a Winning Streak

The Chicago Blackhawks (2-2) close out the road trip against the Colorado Avalanche in a late one tonight with a puck drop of 9:30pm. The Blackhawks younger players had to be called off the ice to catch the bus yesterday–will the hard work pay off against one of the league’s best teams?

Previously on Blackhawks Hockey:

The Blackhawks kept the Maple Leafs at bay with a 4-1 win in a hard fought, grind it out effort. Auston Matthews was kept scoreless for the first time all year and Chicago earned secondary scoring from a number of players, including the game winner from Corey Perry.

Blackhawks – Avalanche Look Back

They took one from the Avs last season but were heavily outscored in the three games they played. The Hawks dropped their season opener to Colorado 5-2 and the one victory they picked up was a 3-2 winner in January. They dropped the third one 5-0 as the season wound down. The Avalanche would be bounced by Seattle in the first round of the playoffs but certainly come in healthier than they were a season ago.

The Avs also head in undefeated at 3-0 so the Hawks will have their work cut out for them.

Roster Notes

Petr Mrazek will be in net tonight, continuing the back and forth that the Blackhawks have had since the opening game against Pittsburgh.

The lineup will look as it did on Monday in the win over the Maple Leafs.

How to Watch and Listen

TV: ESPN
Radio: WGN 720

What to Watch For In 75 Words Or Less

A win puts the Blackhawks at 3-2 and ready to return home to a raucous, sold out crowd ready to usher in the Bedard era officially. Not lost in all of this should be that many of the young players, Kevin Korchinski and Alex Vlasic specifically, have looked terrific for the Hawks.

Best Case/Worst Case/Final Answer

Best Case – The Hawks pull off another, stunning the Avs and head into the UC with a winning mark against a potentially undefeated Vegas Golden Knights team.

Worst Case – The Avalanche and specifically Cale Makar, overwhelm Chicago and send them home with an L.

Final Answer: Blackhawks take the Avs to overtime, grab a point, and head home for the regular season opener at the United Center.