Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NHL match.
Injuries to key players have not hindered the Colorado Avalanche from making up for lost ground early in the season—the Avalanche are closing in on the leaders of their division. Meanwhile, the Chicago Blackhawks have long been branded as the perennial underdogs of the West, and a match against an in-form opponent is unlikely to yield any points.
Chicago Blackhawks
A weekend defeat to the New York Rangers (2:6) marked their 25th regulation-time loss—the worst record in the entire NHL. The Blackhawks have managed just 102 goals in 40 games, ranking as the second-worst attack in the conference, while conceding 59 goals in their past 15 matches—the poorest defence in the West. It appears that the coaching change, with Anders Sorensen stepping in, has not rescued the Blackhawks' season.
Colorado Avalanche
In their last 15 games, the Avalanche have amassed 23 points—the best tally in the Central Division. Their fans eagerly anticipate the return of Gabriel Landeskog to the ice; the team captain has missed the last two campaigns but is regaining fitness and training with his teammates. An impressive victory over the Florida Panthers (3:1) indicates that the coaching staff have the locker room under control, aided by the stellar trio of Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Cale Makar, all of whom rank in the top 10 NHL scorers.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Colorado Avalanche Prediction
The Colorado Avalanche are aiming to take revenge on the Chicago Blackhawks for their late October defeat (2:5). The Avalanche are unstoppable in this stretch of the season—the Blackhawks will fall short by at least two goals.
