Tonight, the Colorado Avalanche hit the road and find themselves in Chicago just after they turned the river green for St. Patrick’s Day. Colorado is probably pretty sick of that Colorado after their SO loss to rival Dallas Stars in their last time out, and after dealing with health issues in the locker room. Connor Bedard and the Blackhawks, on the other hand, are coming on strong late this season, with Bedard showing more confidence and flair than ever. Can the kid with one of the league’s best releases take advantage of a battered Avalanche team?

Colorado Avalanche

Jared Bednar all but flat-out said that despite the SO loss, he wasn’t displeased with the performance or really concerned with the outcome, stating, “I have very few issues with the way we played. I’ve said it all along, I’m not going to judge our team on results only. I think that’s a losing battle. I think if you play like that, good things will happen.” So what does success look like to this team, which is now just two points ahead of Dallas for division supremacy and the Presidents’ Trophy? The points do matter.

I agree with Bednar’s analysis of the team’s performance. They were better 5-on-5 and created plenty of chances, but just weren’t able to beat Jake Oettinger. That feels a bit too familiar, but let’s see how those chances settle against Chicago, who aren’t as competitive between the pipes.

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Scott Wedgewood only allowed one goal in the biggest game of the regular season, which was a pleasant sight as he was chased from the crease in Colorado’s 7-2 loss to Pittsburgh. It would be just as wonderful to see MacKenzie Blackwood get the start and dominate tonight. Avs would be very pleased to have both netminders firing on all cylinders as we get closer to April.

Projected Lineup

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

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

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MacKenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood

Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks aren’t just Connor Bedard and the boys, although he steals most of the headlines. Bedard has 11 points in his last 10 games, including a big goal against Minnesota in their last time out and victory.

Colorado would do well to get out in front of this Blackhawks team early, as they are still undefeated when entering the third period with a lead.

The Blackhawks probably aren’t a playoff team with how things are stacking up in the West. No one is catching the trio of Colorado, Dallas, and Minnesota, and the wild-card spots will be just as difficult to snag. Chicago sits 8 points back from the only relatively attainable wild card spot. Guess they can do their best and play spoiler!

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Projected Lineup

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

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

Spencer Knight
Arvid Soderblom