Who: Colorado Avalanche at Chicago Blackhawks (13-15-6)
Where: United Center - Chicago, Il
Puck drop: 6:00 pm MT
Watch: NBCSN

The grind doesn’t stop as the Colorado Avalanche are set to begin another pair of back-to-back games in Chicago before travelling to play Carolina at home. The Hawks have stumbled following their hotter start than expected, and now have a record of 3-6-1 in their last 10. The Hawks are last in the Central and tied for last with the Anaheim Ducks for last in the NHL.

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes, who are tomorrow’s opponent are in a heated fight for second in the Metro division with Pittsburgh and the Islanders. The Avs need a quick and clean win out of the Hawks so they can remain fresh and prepared for one of the fastest and most dangerous teams in the NHL in the Canes the next night. Somewhat luckily for the Avs, Carolina is on the last of their Western road trip, having through Western Canada for the pas week and a half, so hopefully they’re tired too.

Colorado Avalanche

This is the third of 12 national games the Avalanche will be a part of this season and the second week in a row. Colorado beat the Flyers last week, but failed to finish off the Penguins in overtime back in October. The next national game for the Avs will be just after Christmas against Minnesota.

Forwards

Gabriel Landeskog - Nathan MacKinnon - Mikko Rantanen
Joonas Donskoi - Nazem Kadri - Andre Burakovsky
Valeri Nichushkin - P.E. Bellemare - Matt Calvert
Matt Nieto - Tyson Jost - J.T. Compher

Defense

Samuel Girard - Nikita Zadorov
Mark Barberio - Ian Cole
Ryan Graves - Calle Rosen

Chicago Blackhawks

The Hawks are on the first half of a back-to-back themselves, as they are set to play in Winnipeg tomorrow. The Hawks are coming off a Sunday win over the Wild, but lost four games to Vegas, St. Louis, and Arizona (twice) the week previous. Both teams will see each other for a third game in four nights on Saturday in Colorado.

Forwards

Kubalik-Toews-Saad
Nylander-Strome-Kane
DeBrincat-Dach-Carpenter
Sikura-Kampf-Highmore

Defense
Keith-Murphy
Gilbert-Gustafsson
Maatta-Boqvist

The Goalies

The likely goalies for tonight will be Philipp Grubauer, but nothing has been announced. Corey Crawford is in net for the Blackhawks.