Blackhawks vs. Avalanche | inspin's Blog

Chicago -165 vs. Colorado

If it were not for the pesky Detroit Red Wings, the Chicago Blackhawks would be the talk of hockey. Before facing the defending Stanley Cup Champions two out of three days in a home-and-home series, including New Years Day's Winter Classic held in Wrigley Field, the Blackhawks had won nine straight games. Detroit handed them a two-game losing streak for the first time since the end of November and put some distance between them and the rising Hawks.

Chicago had been dominant since the beginning of December, going 12-3. All three losses were to, you guessed it, the Detroit Red Wings.

Since the home-and-home against the Wings, Chicago (22-8-7) has taken their frustration out on two teams, the first place Calgary Flames and the Phoenix Coyotes.

They especially took it to the Coyotes in their last game on Tuesday. The Blackhawks built up an insurmountable 4-0 lead five minutes into the first period. Jonathan Towes would then add two goals en route to a 6-0 decimation.

The victory gave the Blackhawks a positive start to their three game road trip, which will continue Thursday night in Denver when they face the Avalanche. Once again Chicago will be without leading scorer Patrick Kane who was injured in the December 30th loss at Joe Louis Arena. He is listed as day-to-day with an ankle injury, but is expected to sit out one more contest before returning in Nashville on Saturday.

Injuries are nothing new for Colorado (20-19-1). Joe Sakic has not played since November and looks to be out until March as he underwent surgery on Wednesday to repair a herniated disk. Another of their top centers, Paul Stastny, is out until the end of February because of a fractured forearm suffered on December 23rd.

The injuries have forced Coach Tony Granato into moving personnel around. Granato moved Wojtek Wolski to center from his usual spot on the wing in their last game at Nashville. The bold move paid off as the Colorado Avalanche snapped a three-game skid and won 2-1.

Chicago has won both meetings this season, 6-2 in the United Center on November 3rd and 4-3 at the Pepsi Center on December 12th. The Blackhawks have won five out of the last six over the Avalanche.

InSpin.com