Game Preview : Things To Do In Denver When Your're Dead

Chicago Blackhawks (49 pts 23-2-3) @ Colorado Avalanche (24 pts 10-13-4).8 pm Pepsi Center - Denver, CO.TV: CSN Chicago +Radio: WGN 720 AM

Season Series

Date	Score	W. Goal
Mar 18 '13
Mar 08 '13	CHI 2 at COL 6	J. Mitchell
Mar 06 '13	COL 2 at CHI 3	D. Carcillo

Seeing a lot folks throw terms like "revenge" and "redemption" around regarding tonight's game against the Avalanche. Everybody remembers the last visit to Denver, just 10 days ago, where the Avs ended the Hawks 24 points streak. How dare they?? Revenge should not be a factor in a regular season game just because it was your first loss of the year. That loss was bound to happen, and frankly, it should have happened earlier than it did. The Hawks need these two points tonight before they head into their big match up against the Ducks on Wednesday. The Blackhawks are currently atop the Western Conference while Colorado is bringing up the rear. Tonight is not the time to play down to your competition. Ray Emery will get the start in net tonight, looking to bounce back much like Corey Crawford did from a rough weekend last week. Razor has not been very good in limited action against the Avs with a 2-1 record, 3.93 GAA and a .868 save % in five games. Don't look for any changes to lines from Saturday night. Why would you make any moves after an 8-1 mushroom stamping?

The Colorado Avalanche are a confusing bunch. They are the Sybil of the NHL as you never know what team is going to show up. Will we see the team that blew the doors off the Hawks last week or will we see the team that falls behind early and then decides to bring the blatant assbaggery? We shall see. The Hawks should feel a bit embarrassed that they gave up six goals to this team who is near the bottom of nearly every offensive category. That game was a fluke and hopefully the Hawks can turn the tables on the Avs this evening. Matt Duchene has been white hot of late with five goals and six assists in his last six games. You can almost guarantee he will score a cheesy short side goal like he seems to always do against the Hawks. Knocking him on his ass a few times early should prevent that from happening. This is the rubber match of the season series before these two teams will become division rivals nice year. Tonight could lay a foundation for a decent future feud with the Avs.

Probable Chicago Blackhawks lineup

Forwards

Brandon Saad - Jonathan Toews - Marian Hossa

Jimmy Hayes - Dave Bolland - Patrick Kane

Bryan Bickell - Andrew Shaw - Viktor Stalberg

Brandon Bollig - Marcus Kruger - Michael Frolik