The Colorado Avalanche (26-25-3, 55 pts) hope to end their five game losing streak, hosting the Chicago Blackhawks (29-17-7, 65 pts) who are on their own five game losing streak. The Avalanche trail the Calgary Flames (24-22-7, 55 pts), who have played one fewer game, for third place in the Northwest Division.
Colorado has lost by a single goal in each of their last five games, most recently losing 2-3 in shootouts to the first place Vancouver Canucks (32-15-5, 69 pts). Twenty-three-year-old G Semyon Varlamov has struggled this season, owning an .898 saving percentage. Varlamov impressed in the 2010-11 season, going 11-9 with a .924 save rate, but has struggled in the 2011-2012 season, posting a 14-16 record.
The Avalanche also needs greater production from C Paul Stastny, who is second on the team with 13 goals and 19 assists, but he currently has a career low rate of 0.63 points per game.
Gametime: 7:00 PM MST
Television: ALT(HD)
Radio: affiliates
For more coverage, visit our Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey and our Blackhawks blog Second City Hockey.