CHICAGO (AP) \u2014 Nathan MacKinnon had three assists in Colorado\u2019s 4-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night, helping the Avalanche become the first NHL team to clinch a playoff spot this season.<\/p>\n
Martin Necas had a goal and two assists for Colorado, which had lost four of five. Nazem Kadri, Brock Nelson and Valeri Nichushkin also scored.<\/p>\n
The league-leading Avalanche (45-13-10) moved four points<\/a> ahead of idle Dallas for the top spot in the Western Conference.<\/p>\n Wyatt Kaiser scored for Chicago (26-31-12), and Arvid Soderblom stopped 45 shots.<\/p>\n The last-place Blackhawks played without defenseman Louis Crevier<\/a> and forward Andrew Mangiapane because of unspecified injuries. They were hurt Thursday night in a 2-1 victory<\/a> at Minnesota.<\/p>\n Kadri made it 3-1 with a power-play goal 36 seconds into the third period. It was Kadri\u2019s second goal in seven games since he was reacquired by Colorado in a trade<\/a> with Calgary.<\/p>\n Nichushkin helped close it out with his 15th goal at 8:34. MacKinnon picked up his team-high 69th assist on the play.<\/p>\n Colorado jumped in front with two goals during a dominant first period.<\/p>\n Slick passes by MacKinnon and Nichushkin set up Necas for his 32nd goal at 13:19, extending his career high. Necas has 10 goals and 12 assists in his last 13 games.<\/p>\n Nelson added a power-play goal at 15:22. It was Nelson\u2019s first goal since Feb. 25 and No. 31 on the year.<\/p>\n Chicago trimmed the deficit to 2-1 on Kaiser\u2019s sixth goal 6:48 into the second. Ryan Greene found a streaking Kaiser with a perfectly placed pass, and the defenseman beat Mackenzie Blackwood through the goaltender\u2019s legs.<\/p>\n Up next<\/p>\n The Avalanche are at the Washington Capitals on Sunday. The Blackhawks host the Nashville Predators on Sunday.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n