This is a tremendous kill spot for the Avalanche and I have no hesitation backing this view with a puck line play in order to greatly reduce the juice.

Colorado is by far the superior team. The Avalanche are rested and draw the Blackhawks in a super letdown spot and with no rest carrying a huge fatigue rating. Chicago defeated the Predators, 2-1, at home Tuesday and then upset the Stars, 5-2, on Thursday in Dallas. This marks their third game in four days - all at different venues - and fourth game in six days. Making this worse for the Blackhawks is playing in Denver, which is high altitude.

The Avalanche are 10-6 in their last 16 games. They are the No. 5 scoring team in the NHL with the league's third-best power play. The Blackhawks are in the bottom two both in allowing goals and in killing off power plays.

The Blackhawks are without their top goalie, Corey Crawford. They either will have journeyman Cam Ward in net, or rookie Collin Delia.