The Chicago Blackhawks close out a rough five-game home stand with a bout against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night.
Chicago was able to snap a five-game overall skid during this home stretch, but outside of that lone win it’s been a trio of four-goal losses. Keeping pucks out of the net has been difficult for the Blackhawks, who rank 28th in goals allowed with 3.43 per game and have allowed at least four in six of their last seven outings.
The NHL’s leading scorer is now coming into town as Nathan MacKinnon’s Avalanche look to keep building off a successful December. Colorado’s on a 8-1-1 run and have climbed into a tie for third in the Pacific Division with 51 points.
Puck drop at the United Center Wednesday starts at 7:30 p.m. EST with the Avalanche coming in as a -250 moneyline favourite on the road and the over-under at 6.5 on the NHL odds.
Avalanche vs. Blackhawks NHL Betting Odds
Colorado’s improved goaltending has turned the Avs into an under team as of late. The under has hit in six of the Avs last nine outings overall and six of their last seven on the road. Colorado’s let in no more than two goals in seven of their last eight times taking the ice.
Six of the last seven Avalanche–Blackhawks matchups have finished under the total too, with the exception being their first and only meeting this season — a 5-2 Blackhawks win. Ryan Donato scored twice in that win for Chicago.
Chicago’s at least had a chance at home this season, going 8-11 thus far. Colorado’s won five of their last seven visits to Chicago, including a 5-0 victory most recently.
Colorado Avalanche
The addition of goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood has the Avalanche rolling. Since coming via San Jose by trade, Blackwood is 7-1-1 and turned away 26 of 27 shots in Monday’s 3-1 win over Florida. The Avalanche could easily decide to rest Blackwood against Chicago, as Colorado plays at Minnesota on Thursday night. If Blackwood does get the night off against Chicago and their 31st-ranked offence (2.53 goals per game), 23-year-old Trent Miner would be in line to make his first NHL start. Miner appeared on December 15 versus Washington — his only NHL action — and stopped 12 of 13 shots faced.
With an empty net goal on Monday, Mikko Rantanen extended his point streak to 14 games and scoring streak to five games. With an assist on Rantanen’s goal, Nathan MacKinnon made it eight straight games with a helper. Five of those eight games have been multi-assist nights for MacKinnon, the NHL points leader with 66.
Chicago Blackhawks
Sunday’s 6-2 defeat was a lot of the same old issues for the Blackhawks, highlighted by poor goaltending and in ability to hold an early lead. Chicago scored first in the 6-2 loss to New York and the Blackhawks are now 11-12-2 this season when scoring first. Arvid Soderblom stopped 28 of 34 shots faced, which was one of the weakest outings for the 25-year-old goalie. Soderblom’s played 18 games to Peter Mrazek’s 23, but it’s Soderblom who has a .905 save percentage on the season and Mrazek an .893 save percentage.
Tyler Bertuzzi has scored in three straight games for Chicago and is the team leader with 14 goals. Connor Bedard has a point in seven straight outings and has a team high 35. The duo not only makes up most of Chicago’s top line, but most of the team’s offensive production lately.
NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Avalanche vs. Blackhawks?
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AVALANCHE
4 -
BLACKHAWKS
1
Score
Prediction
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 7 Jan 6:43pm | - | - | O +6 -110 |
Closing 9 Jan 2:43am | - | - | O +4.5 -275 |
- Regular Season
Avalanche Team Leaders
Points |
87 |
+ / - |
24 |
Shots |
227 |
Penalty Mins |
44 |
Wins |
14 |
GAA |
2.13 |
Points |
49 |
+ / - |
3 |
Shots |
130 |
Penalty Mins |
71 |
Wins |
10 |
GAA |
3.01 |
- Regular Season
Blackhawks Team Leaders
Points |
87 |
+ / - |
24 |
Shots |
227 |
Penalty Mins |
44 |
Wins |
14 |
GAA |
2.13 |
Points |
49 |
+ / - |
3 |
Shots |
130 |
Penalty Mins |
71 |
Wins |
10 |
GAA |
3.01 |
Injuries
Josh Manson (D)
Scott Wedgewood (G)
Samuel Girard (D)
Jonathan Drouin (LW)
Scott Wedgewood (G)
Valeri Nichushkin (RW)
Ivan Ivan (C)
Mackenzie Blackwood (G)
Nikolai Kovalenko (RW)
Josh Manson (D)
Jason Dickinson (C)
Louis Crevier (D)
Alec Martinez (D)
Taylor Hall (LW)
Seth Jones (D)
Jason Dickinson (C)
Patrick Maroon (LW)
Craig Smith (RW)
Connor Murphy (D)
Nick Foligno (LW)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Josh Manson (D) | Ques Feb. 23 | Lower Body - 05 / 02 / 25 | 2-1 | 0-2-1 | + - |
Manson left the game with a lower body injury, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Blues on February 23rd. |
|||||
Scott Wedgewood (G) | Ques Feb. 23 | Undisclosed - 02 / 02 / 25 | 3-1 | 0-3-1 | + - |
Wedgewood is out of lineup due to an undisclosed injury, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Blues on February 23rd. |
|||||
Samuel Girard (D) | Ques Thurs | Upper Body - 09 / 01 / 25 | 7-9 | 5-10-1 | + - |
Girard is dealing with an upper body injury, and it is up in the air if he will suit up against the Oilers on Thursday. |
|||||
Jonathan Drouin (LW) | Ques Thurs | Upper Body - 08 / 01 / 25 | 7-9 | 5-10-1 | + - |
Drouin is dealing with an upper body injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Wild on Thursday. |
|||||
Scott Wedgewood (G) | Out indefinitely | Lower Body - 03 / 01 / 25 | 8-11 | 7-11-1 | + - |
Wedgewood has wound up on the injured reserve list due to a lower body injury, and he will miss an undetermined length of time. |
|||||
Valeri Nichushkin (RW) | Out indefinitely | Lower Body - 01 / 01 / 25 | 9-11 | 7-12-1 | + - |
Nichushkin has been placed on the injured reserve list with a lower body injury, and there is no timetable for return. |
|||||
Ivan Ivan (C) | Out indefinitely | Upper Body - 31 / 12 / 24 | 9-11 | 7-12-1 | + - |
Ivan has landed on the injury reserve list nursing an upper body injury, and the team officials have yet to provide an exact return date. |
|||||
Mackenzie Blackwood (G) | Ques Thurs | Illness - 09 / 12 / 24 | 15-13 | 10-17-1 | + - |
Blackwood is ailing from an illness, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Hockey Club on Thursday. |
|||||
Nikolai Kovalenko (RW) | Ques Tues | Undisclosed - 08 / 12 / 24 | 15-14 | 10-18-1 | + - |
Kovalenko sat out the game due to an undisclosed injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will play against the Penguins on Tuesday. |
|||||
Josh Manson (D) | Out indefinitely | Upper Body - 01 / 12 / 24 | 15-18 | 13-19-1 | + - |
Manson is dealing with an upper body injury, and the team officials have yet to provide an exact return date. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jason Dickinson (C) | Out indefinitely | Ankle - 06 / 02 / 25 | 2-1 | 2-0-1 | + - |
Dickinson is out of commission due to an ankle injury, and he will miss an extended period. |
|||||
Louis Crevier (D) | Out indefinitely | Undisclosed - 01 / 02 / 25 | 3-1 | 2-1-1 | + - |
Crevier is placed on the injured reserve list with a concussion, and there is no timetable for recovery. |
|||||
Alec Martinez (D) | Ques Sun | Illness - 25 / 01 / 25 | 6-2 | 4-2-2 | + - |
Martinez is ailing from illness, and it remains to be seen if he will get back on the ice against the Wild on Sunday. |
|||||
Taylor Hall (LW) | Ques Sun | Undisclosed - 24 / 01 / 25 | 6-2 | 4-2-2 | + - |
Hall is nursing an undisclosed injury, and it is undetermined if he will suit up against the Wild on Sunday. |
|||||
Seth Jones (D) | Ques Sun | Illness - 24 / 01 / 25 | 6-2 | 4-2-2 | + - |
Jones is ailing with an illness, and it is up in the air if he will participate against the Wild on Sunday. |
|||||
Jason Dickinson (C) | Ques Fri | Illness - 22 / 01 / 25 | 6-2 | 4-2-2 | + - |
Dickinson is ailing from illness, and it is up in the air if he will play against the Lighting on Friday. |
|||||
Patrick Maroon (LW) | Ques Fri | Back - 20 / 01 / 25 | 7-2 | 5-2-2 | + - |
Maroon is dealing with a back injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Lighting on Friday. |
|||||
Craig Smith (RW) | Out Indefinitely | Back - 09 / 01 / 25 | 10-5 | 9-4-2 | + - |
Smith has been placed on the injured reserve list while fighting off a back injury, and there is no timetable for his recovery. |
|||||
Connor Murphy (D) | Out indefinitely | Groin - 02 / 01 / 25 | 11-6 | 10-4-3 | + - |
Murphy has been placed on the injured reserve with a groin injury, and he will miss an undetermined length of time. |
|||||
Nick Foligno (LW) | Ques Tues | Illness - 15 / 12 / 24 | 15-10 | 14-7-4 | + - |
Foligno is ailing with an illness, and it is undetermined if he will suit up against the Capitals on Tuesday. |
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 7 Jan 6:43pm - - O +6 -110 Closing 9 Jan 2:43am - - O +4.5 -275 -
- Regular Season
Avalanche Team Leaders
Points 87
+ / - 24
Shots 227
Penalty Mins 44
Wins 14
GAA 2.13
Points 49
+ / - 3
Shots 130
Penalty Mins 71
Wins 10
GAA 3.01
-
- Regular Season
Blackhawks Team Leaders
Points 87
+ / - 24
Shots 227
Penalty Mins 44
Wins 14
GAA 2.13
Points 49
+ / - 3
Shots 130
Penalty Mins 71
Wins 10
GAA 3.01
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Injuries
Josh Manson (D)
Ques Feb. 23 Lower Body - 05 / 02 / 25Scott Wedgewood (G)
Ques Feb. 23 Undisclosed - 02 / 02 / 25Samuel Girard (D)
Ques Thurs Upper Body - 09 / 01 / 25Jonathan Drouin (LW)
Ques Thurs Upper Body - 08 / 01 / 25Scott Wedgewood (G)
Out indefinitely Lower Body - 03 / 01 / 25Valeri Nichushkin (RW)
Out indefinitely Lower Body - 01 / 01 / 25Ivan Ivan (C)
Out indefinitely Upper Body - 31 / 12 / 24Mackenzie Blackwood (G)
Ques Thurs Illness - 09 / 12 / 24Nikolai Kovalenko (RW)
Ques Tues Undisclosed - 08 / 12 / 24Josh Manson (D)
Out indefinitely Upper Body - 01 / 12 / 24Jason Dickinson (C)
Out indefinitely Ankle - 06 / 02 / 25Louis Crevier (D)
Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 01 / 02 / 25Alec Martinez (D)
Ques Sun Illness - 25 / 01 / 25Taylor Hall (LW)
Ques Sun Undisclosed - 24 / 01 / 25Seth Jones (D)
Ques Sun Illness - 24 / 01 / 25Jason Dickinson (C)
Ques Fri Illness - 22 / 01 / 25Patrick Maroon (LW)
Ques Fri Back - 20 / 01 / 25Craig Smith (RW)
Out Indefinitely Back - 09 / 01 / 25Connor Murphy (D)
Out indefinitely Groin - 02 / 01 / 25Nick Foligno (LW)
Ques Tues Illness - 15 / 12 / 24Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Josh Manson (D) Ques Feb. 23 Lower Body - 05 / 02 / 25 2-1 0-2-1 + - Manson left the game with a lower body injury, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Blues on February 23rd.
Scott Wedgewood (G) Ques Feb. 23 Undisclosed - 02 / 02 / 25 3-1 0-3-1 + - Wedgewood is out of lineup due to an undisclosed injury, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Blues on February 23rd.
Samuel Girard (D) Ques Thurs Upper Body - 09 / 01 / 25 7-9 5-10-1 + - Girard is dealing with an upper body injury, and it is up in the air if he will suit up against the Oilers on Thursday.
Jonathan Drouin (LW) Ques Thurs Upper Body - 08 / 01 / 25 7-9 5-10-1 + - Drouin is dealing with an upper body injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Wild on Thursday.
Scott Wedgewood (G) Out indefinitely Lower Body - 03 / 01 / 25 8-11 7-11-1 + - Wedgewood has wound up on the injured reserve list due to a lower body injury, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Valeri Nichushkin (RW) Out indefinitely Lower Body - 01 / 01 / 25 9-11 7-12-1 + - Nichushkin has been placed on the injured reserve list with a lower body injury, and there is no timetable for return.
Ivan Ivan (C) Out indefinitely Upper Body - 31 / 12 / 24 9-11 7-12-1 + - Ivan has landed on the injury reserve list nursing an upper body injury, and the team officials have yet to provide an exact return date.
Mackenzie Blackwood (G) Ques Thurs Illness - 09 / 12 / 24 15-13 10-17-1 + - Blackwood is ailing from an illness, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Hockey Club on Thursday.
Nikolai Kovalenko (RW) Ques Tues Undisclosed - 08 / 12 / 24 15-14 10-18-1 + - Kovalenko sat out the game due to an undisclosed injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will play against the Penguins on Tuesday.
Josh Manson (D) Out indefinitely Upper Body - 01 / 12 / 24 15-18 13-19-1 + - Manson is dealing with an upper body injury, and the team officials have yet to provide an exact return date.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jason Dickinson (C) Out indefinitely Ankle - 06 / 02 / 25 2-1 2-0-1 + - Dickinson is out of commission due to an ankle injury, and he will miss an extended period.
Louis Crevier (D) Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 01 / 02 / 25 3-1 2-1-1 + - Crevier is placed on the injured reserve list with a concussion, and there is no timetable for recovery.
Alec Martinez (D) Ques Sun Illness - 25 / 01 / 25 6-2 4-2-2 + - Martinez is ailing from illness, and it remains to be seen if he will get back on the ice against the Wild on Sunday.
Taylor Hall (LW) Ques Sun Undisclosed - 24 / 01 / 25 6-2 4-2-2 + - Hall is nursing an undisclosed injury, and it is undetermined if he will suit up against the Wild on Sunday.
Seth Jones (D) Ques Sun Illness - 24 / 01 / 25 6-2 4-2-2 + - Jones is ailing with an illness, and it is up in the air if he will participate against the Wild on Sunday.
Jason Dickinson (C) Ques Fri Illness - 22 / 01 / 25 6-2 4-2-2 + - Dickinson is ailing from illness, and it is up in the air if he will play against the Lighting on Friday.
Patrick Maroon (LW) Ques Fri Back - 20 / 01 / 25 7-2 5-2-2 + - Maroon is dealing with a back injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Lighting on Friday.
Craig Smith (RW) Out Indefinitely Back - 09 / 01 / 25 10-5 9-4-2 + - Smith has been placed on the injured reserve list while fighting off a back injury, and there is no timetable for his recovery.
Connor Murphy (D) Out indefinitely Groin - 02 / 01 / 25 11-6 10-4-3 + - Murphy has been placed on the injured reserve with a groin injury, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Nick Foligno (LW) Ques Tues Illness - 15 / 12 / 24 15-10 14-7-4 + - Foligno is ailing with an illness, and it is undetermined if he will suit up against the Capitals on Tuesday.