Forward Andrew Shaw will return to the lineup after missing three games with an upper-body injury as the Chicago Blackhawks visit the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on Wednesday night.
The Avalanche have won four of five and eight of their past 11 against the ‘Hawks, including six of the last eight match ups in the Mile High City.
The Blackhawks (12-8-1) lost the first game of their annual Circus Trip on Sunday against the Vancouver Canucks, 4-1. Kris Versteeg netted the lone goal for Chicago, which had won the first two of a six-game trip, and starting goaltender Corey Crawford made 26 saves in his 11th straight start. Backup net-minder Antti Raanta was schedule to start Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers, but fell sick and was limited the past few days until Tuesday when he practiced with the team.
Despite the heavy workload, Crawford will make his 12th consecutive start for the ‘Hawks. Crawford is 2-6-2 in his career against the Avs with a 3.36 goals against average and .886 save percentage in 10 appearances (nine starts).
#Blackhawks‘ lines during morning skate: Saad-Toews-Hossa, Versteeg-Richards-Kane, Nordstrom-Kruger-Smith, Bickell-Shaw-Carcillo
— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) November 26, 2014
Opponent Breakdown: Colorado Avalanche
Colorado trailed Carolina 3-1 on Saturday befogging rallying for a 4-3 victory, then overcame a 3-0 first-period deficit to top Arizona 4-3 in overtime on Tuesday night.
In both games, Reto Berra was pulled early and Calvin Pickard earned the victory in relief. Pickard’s 25 save performance against the Hurricanes gave secured his first NHL career win. Starting net-minder Semyon Varlamov is out with a groin inure and Pickard is expected to make his second career start against the Hawks.
NEWS: The Avalanche has recalled defenseman Karl Stollery from the Lake Erie Monsters. Semyon Varlamov has been put on IR retro to Nov. 15.
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) November 26, 2014
Injury Report
Chicago: Patrick Sharp (lower body) and Trevor van Riemsdyk (knee).
Colorado: Alex Tanguay (face), John Mitchell (leg), Brad Stuart (hamstring), Jamie McGinn (back), Dennis Everberg (shoulder), Semyon Varlamov (groin), Ryan Wilson (shoulder), Jesse Winchester (concussion) and Patrick Bordeleau (back).
Game Information
When: 8 p.m. CT
Where: Pepsi Center
TV: CSN-CH
Radio: WGN-720
Follow Second City Hockey on Twitter at @2ndCityHockey and Like us on Facebook. You can follow Brandon Cain on Twitter at @