Overview
- NHL Public Relations says Colorado will secure a 2026 postseason spot with at least one point in Chicago, making the Avalanche the first team to clinch.
- The Avalanche hold the league lead at 98 points but are 1-3-1 in their past five after a 2-1 shootout loss to the Stars on Wednesday.
- Cale Makar is at 497 career points and needs three over his next two games to reach 500 in one of the quickest paces by an NHL defenseman.
- Chicago has gone 3-1-1 in its past five, with rookie Connor Bedard scoring in a 2-1 win at Minnesota on Thursday as the Blackhawks look to play spoiler.
- Colorado won the first two meetings this season (1-0 and 3-1), and both teams report notable absences, including Gabriel Landeskog and Artturi Lehkonen for the Avalanche and Shea Weber for the Blackhawks.