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Game 79 Preview: Blackhawks @ Avalanche

After losing for the 57th time this year, the Avalanche (21-54-3) come home for their final home-stand of the year kicking off against the Western Conference leading Chicago Blackhawks (50-22-7).

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

While the victories are still not within reach, there has been glimmers of a brighter future for the Avalanche lately. The biggest of those glimmers has been the play of 21-year old rookie JT Compher. Compher was considered a throw in in the Ryan O'Reilly trade with Buffalo two years ago, but the soon-to-be 22-year old has very much impressed in his first stint in the NHL. The last two games Compher has shined as the Avalanche's best player, making spectacular plays and notching some points on the board. While the Avalanche still continue to struggle, they can take solace in a bright future in this team's youth.

LINES

Rantanen-MacKinnon-Andrighetto

Landeskog-Duchene-Compher

Grigorenko-Jost-Nieto

Bourque-Soderberg-Comeau

Barberio-Johnson

Tyutin-Barrie

Beauchemin-Lindholm

Pickard

Smith

NOTES

- Compher has averaged over 18 minutes a game over his last three games.

- Blackhawks leading scorer, Patrick Kane has just one fewer point than the Avs two leading scorers (Nathan MacKinnon and Matt Duchene) combined.

- Because the Blackhawks have their Fratellis goal song, why not the Avs? Here's the next entry for Avs' goal song...

GAME INFO

Game time: 7pm MT

TV: ALT