Blackhawks look to delay Avalanche's trip to the postseason

Chicago Blackhawks (26-30-12, 64 pts) vs Colorado Avalanche (44-13-10, 98 pts)
7:30 pm CT – United Center
TV: CHSN (Ball/Pang)
Radio: WGN 720 AM (Wiedeman/Konroyd)

The Chicago Blackhawks are back home after beating the Minnesota Wild last night. They will look to avoid a season sweep at the hands of a Stanley Cup contender by hosting the Colorado Avalanche. The Blackhawks have played them tough this season, but haven’t found a way to beat them. Sound familiar?

The Avalanche can become the NHL’s first 100-point team with a win tonight. They can also become the first team to punch their ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a point. However, they come into tonight's game losers of three straight and four of their last five games. It’s easy to see why they have the best record in the NHL. They have the league’s top goal scorer in Nathan MacKinnon, and goaltender Scott Wedgewood has the lowest goals-against average (GAA). They lead the NHL in goals scored, goals allowed, shots on goal, and are the second-least penalized team.

The Blackhawks have stepped up their game at the United Center recently, with points in three of their last four home games. They also have points in four of their last six home games against the Avalanche, going 3-2-1. Connor Bedard has a goal and five points in his five career home games against Colorado.

Toninato Recalled

In a bit of a surprise move this morning, the Blackhawks recalled forward Dominic Toninato from the Rockford IceHogs. Since there was no morning skate, we don’t know who is available and who isn’t. He was likely recalled because another forward suffered an injury last night and might not be available. Head coach Jeff Blashill will not meet with the media until 6 pm.

His recall probably means Sacha Boisvert’s visa isn’t ready, and he won’t make his NHL debut tonight. According to NHL.com’s Tracey Myers, Toninato and Boisvert skated at the United Center this morning, so don’t expect either to play. But things can change between now and 7:30. Stay tuned.

Nazar Looking to Stay Hot

Frank Nazar’s late-season resurgence has been fun to watch, and it has relieved the anxiety of some Blackhawks fans. He has four goals and 10 points in his last eight games. He has scored a goal in three straight home games, including the game-tying goal late in regulation against the Wild on Tuesday.

Nazar is still looking for his first point against the Avalanche this season. He has one goal and two points in five career games against them. He doesn’t have a goal against either Colorado netminder, Mackenzie Blackwood or Scott Wedgewood. He’ll look to change that tonight.

Soderblom Back in the Crease

With Spencer Knight playing in Minnesota last night, Arvid Soderblom will make his 20th start of the season tonight. The Blackhawks’ backup goaltender might have an advantage, as he’s never faced the Avalanche in his career. Only six players on the Colorado roster have faced him, with defenseman Brett Kulak leading the way with five games. Brock Nelson is the only player to have scored on Soderblom. He has two goals on 10 shots in his four games against the Swedish netminder while he was a member of the New York Islanders.

Season Series

11/23 vs COL, 0-1 L
2/28 @ COL, 1-3 L
3/20 vs COL

Blackhawks Team Leaders

G-Tyler Bertuzzi/Connor Bedard (28)
A-Bedard (37)
P-Bedard (65)
PPG-Bertuzzi (11)
GWG-Bedard (5)
SOG-Bedard (184)
PIM-Louis Crevier (55)

Colorado Team Leaders

G-Nathan MacKinnon (45)
A-MacKinnon (66)
P-MacKinnon (111)
PPG-MacKinnon (9)
GWG-Brock Nelson (7)
SOG-MacKinnon (296)
PIM-Josh Manson (76)

Blackhawks Team Stats

GF/G-2.60 (29th)
GA/G-3.13 (22nd)
PP%-18.9 (21st)
PK%-84.7 (1st)
SOG/G-24.4 (32nd)
SA/G-29.4 (26th)
FO%-46.6 (31st)
PIM/G-9:22 (23rd)

Avalanche Team Stats

GF/G-3.69 (1st)
GA/G-2.48 (1st)
PP%-16.1 (29th)
PK%-86.6 (6th)
SOG/G-33.7 (1st)
SA/G-26.3 (7th)
FO%-51.3 (8th)
PIM/G-7:20 (2nd)

Blackhawks Probable Lines

Forwards
Ryan Greene-Connor Bedard-Andre Burakovsky
Tyler Bertuzzi-Frank Nazar-Teuvo Teravainen
Andrew Mangiapane-Ryan Donato-Ilya Mikheyev
Nick Lardis-Landon Slaggert

Defensemen
Alex Vlasic-Artyom Levshunov
Wyatt Kaiser-Sam Rinzel
Matt Grzelcyk -Louis Crevier
Ethan Del Mastro

Scratched
F-Sam Lafferty, F-Dominic Toninato

Injured
F-Oliver Moore (lower body)

Avalanche Probable Lines

Forwards
Valeri Nichushkin-Nathan MacKinnon-Martin Necas
Nazem Kadri-Brock Nelson-Nic Roy
Parker Kelly-Jack Drury-Joel Kiviranta
Zakhar Bardakov-Ivan Ivan-Gavin Brindley

Defensemen
Brett Kulak-Cale Makar
Devon Toews-Brent Burns
Josh Manson-Sam Malinski

Scratched

D-Nick Blankenburg

Injured
F-Ross Colton (upper body), F-Gabriel Landeskog (lower body), F-Artturi Lehkonen (upper body), F-Logan O’Connor (hip)

Goaltending Matchup

Arvid Soderblom (6-10-3, 3.70 GAA, .876 SV%, 1 SO) vs Mackenzie Blackwood (18-8-1, 2.48 GAA, .904 SV%, 3 SO)