Chicago Blackhawks vs. Colorado Avalanche Predictions, Picks and NHL Preview – February 2, 2016

The Chicago Blackhawks didn’t look like themselves, entering the All-Star Break losing three of their last four. But perhaps they were only exhausted from a franchise-record 12-game win streak which immediately preceded their losing rut. The Blackhawks get to start anew when they take to the road against the Colorado Avalanche.

Colorado has been red-hot recently, winning five of their last six. They should be well-rested and ready to go as they welcome the defending Stanley Cup champions in an attempt to chase a playoff spot. It doesn’t get any better than this, a Western Conference showdown with postseason implications. Read on as we take a look at this Central Division clash.

If you’re itching for more hockey action, then check out our complete previews for the Rangers vs. Devils and Blues vs. Predators.

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Chicago Blackhawks vs. Colorado Avalanche Preview

Where: Pepsi Center, Denver

When: Tuesday, February 2, 9:00 PM ET

Line: Chicago Blackhawks at Colorado Avalanche – view all NHL lines

Betting on the Chicago Blackhawks (33-16-4)

The Chicago Blackhawks had a franchise best 12-game winning streak, in which star Patrick Kane impressed by scoring 22 points. But they’ve been cold heading into the All-Star Break, losing three of their last four.

Expect the break to have renewed the Blackhawks’ fire heading into the second half of the season. Look for Kane to pick up his high level of play once again when Chicago takes on Colorado on Tuesday night. Kane scored a goal and assisted in two others in his first game against at Pepsi Center this season, a 4-3 overtime victory New Year’s Eve. He also scored a brace in a 6-3 home win against the Avalanche on January 10.

Kane can elevate his team’s game with his solid playmaking. He has a league-high 43 assists this season. He also leads the league in points (73) and goals (30). Chicago’s offense will flow through him. It’s going to take a lot to stop Kane. He’ll need to play out of his mind to make up for the one-game suspension of Jonathan Toews for missing the All-Star Game.

Chicago still has plenty of talent to utilize in Toews’ absence. Artemi Panarin and Artem Anisimov are both solid scorers each with 17 goals this season. Panarin ranks second on the team with 46 points, while Anisimov has 27. Expect the two to be the recipient of some Kane dishes, especially with Toews out of the equation.

The Blackhawks also happen to be solid with their goaltending. Corey Crawford has been close to unbeatable in January, going 9-2 with a 1.55 GAA. But he did show some wrinkles in his game against Colorado, allowing three goals in the January 10 home victory.

The Blackhawks have lost four of their last six on the road.

Betting on the Colorado Avalanche (27-22-3)

The Colorado Avalanche lead the Western Conference’s Wild Card standing. They’ll have a big opportunity to extend that league, opening a four-game home stand Tuesday night. The Avs also have a chance to go for a season-high fourth straight win at home. They overcame a 2-0 hole on the road to beat Los Angeles 4-3 last Wednesday.

All-Star forward Matt Duchene had a goal and an assist, while Gabriel Landeskog scored twice. If the Avs have a shot at beating the Western Conference leaders, then it’ll be through this pair of players. Landescog has three goals in his last three games. He has two goals and six assists in a six-game point streak against Chicago. Duchene has three goals and three assists in two games against the Blackhawks this season.

What makes the Avs so dangerous is their ability to spread out their offense. They have nine players with 15 or more assists this season, including four with double-digit goals. Colorado has one of the best offenses in the league, scoring 2.73 goals per game. Nathan Mackinnon (18 goals) and Carl Soderberg (10) could find the back of the net. Each has a goal against the Blackhawks this season.

Goaltender Semyon Varlamov could be solid against a Blackhawks squad missing their captain. He has a 0.99 GAA and a .972 save percentage winning his last four starts. But he hasn’t played since January 23 due to an on-going civil trial for a domestic incident in October 2013. It’s still uncertain if he’d be available to play against Chicago.

Backup Calvin Pickard hasn’t done Colorado any good in his last two games, giving up a total of seven goals. Pickard allowed two goals on 15 shots (.867 save percentage) in 22:11 of play after relieving Varlamov at Chicago on January 10.

The Avs have won six of their last seven at home.

Writer’s Prediction

The Avs’ bevy of scorers net just enough goals to get them past Chicago.

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