PREMIUM
$20 Tuesday! Rogers' SURE SHOT >>> 14-5-2 NHL RUN!
(NHL) Chicago vs. Colorado,
Money Line: -170.00 Chicago (Away)
Result: Win
Money Line: -170.00 Chicago (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: The 27-14-5 Chicago Blackhawks have won three Stanley Cup championships in six years but not last season, when the Penguins took the Cup. The Blackhawks' goal is to lift that trophy come June and could be looking to take out their frustrations on the next opponent, after a disheartening 3-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Sunday night. That "next opponent" is the 13-27-1 Colorado Avalanche, the NHL's worst team!
Chicago: The Blackhawks face the Avalanche at Pepsi Center on Tuesday night featuring two teams headed in different directions. Chicago is reportedly looking to add pieces to anchor another title run, while Colorado is rumored to be considering breaking up their core. The Blackhawks will talk to teams looking to bolster their top two lines. Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa haven't produced like they have in seasons past, so adding a left winger could help their games. Captain Toews admitted last week that it was "bittersweet" to be named to the upcoming All-Star game ahead of teammates Artemi Panarin (team-leading 18 goals), Artem Anisimov (17 goals, 43 points) and Marian Hossa (16 goals). Toews has just seven goals and 21 points to reside below all three of those forwards on the season stat sheet. Speaking of Hossa, the veteran tallied twice in the initial meeting with Colorado but as been held without a tally in each of his last nine games.
Colorado: The Avalanche dealt fourth-line enforcer Cody McLeod to Nashville on Friday. Now, trade rumors surround Colorado's young core and anyone else who could offer some cap relief. The only ones not available are 21-year-old Nathan MacKinnon and 20-year-old Mikko Rantanen. If GM Joe Sakic is able to move veterans such as Matt Duchene, Gabriel Landeskog and Tyson Barrie, it will pave the way for prospects and give Colorado much-needed cap room. "We do know going forward that we've got to get younger and faster," Sakic told ESPN.com. "We've had conversations (with other teams) about our players. I want to do what's best for the organization long term."
The pick: Yes, Chicago is on a two-game skid, but both losses came to the top teams in each conference, the Caps and Wild. The Blackhawks aren't panicking and surely not against the Avalanche, who have a league-low 27 points. Colorado enters on a 4-18-1 stretch and on the season, has played better on the road (8-12-0) than at home 5-15-1), where its been outscored 3.43-to-1.95 GPG. Make Chicago an 8* play.
Chicago: The Blackhawks face the Avalanche at Pepsi Center on Tuesday night featuring two teams headed in different directions. Chicago is reportedly looking to add pieces to anchor another title run, while Colorado is rumored to be considering breaking up their core. The Blackhawks will talk to teams looking to bolster their top two lines. Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa haven't produced like they have in seasons past, so adding a left winger could help their games. Captain Toews admitted last week that it was "bittersweet" to be named to the upcoming All-Star game ahead of teammates Artemi Panarin (team-leading 18 goals), Artem Anisimov (17 goals, 43 points) and Marian Hossa (16 goals). Toews has just seven goals and 21 points to reside below all three of those forwards on the season stat sheet. Speaking of Hossa, the veteran tallied twice in the initial meeting with Colorado but as been held without a tally in each of his last nine games.
Colorado: The Avalanche dealt fourth-line enforcer Cody McLeod to Nashville on Friday. Now, trade rumors surround Colorado's young core and anyone else who could offer some cap relief. The only ones not available are 21-year-old Nathan MacKinnon and 20-year-old Mikko Rantanen. If GM Joe Sakic is able to move veterans such as Matt Duchene, Gabriel Landeskog and Tyson Barrie, it will pave the way for prospects and give Colorado much-needed cap room. "We do know going forward that we've got to get younger and faster," Sakic told ESPN.com. "We've had conversations (with other teams) about our players. I want to do what's best for the organization long term."
The pick: Yes, Chicago is on a two-game skid, but both losses came to the top teams in each conference, the Caps and Wild. The Blackhawks aren't panicking and surely not against the Avalanche, who have a league-low 27 points. Colorado enters on a 4-18-1 stretch and on the season, has played better on the road (8-12-0) than at home 5-15-1), where its been outscored 3.43-to-1.95 GPG. Make Chicago an 8* play.
