Avalanche Roll Into Chicago Looking to Feast on Struggling Hawks

The Avalanche make the trip to the United Center on Monday night, and if you're a Chicago fan, you might want to avert your eyes. Colorado comes in riding momentum while the Blackhawks continue their painful rebuild, making this one of those "schedule loss" spots that Vegas loves to hang a hefty number on.

Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar remain two of the most electric talents in hockey, and they'll be licking their chops against a Chicago defensive corps that's been about as sturdy as wet cardboard most nights. The Hawks are playing for lottery balls and development minutes, not November victories against Stanley Cup contenders. Their goaltending has been shaky, their offense inconsistent, and their overall structure remains a work in progress under Luke Richardson.

Colorado should control this game from the opening faceoff. They've got superior talent at every position, better depth, and the kind of championship pedigree that shows up in these mismatch spots. The Blackhawks will compete—they always do at home—but competing and winning are two very different things when you're facing this level of opponent.

Expect the Avs to dictate pace, win the special teams battle, and grab two points before catching their flight out of O'Hare. This one's about as lopsided as November NHL gets.