The Avalanche are heavy favorites against Chicago, can they back that up?

The Colorado Avalanche take a quick road trip to the windy city for a showdown with Conor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks. The Blackhawks got the better of the Avalanche in their last meeting by a score of 3-2, but the season series is still tied at a goal a piece. Can the Avalanche assert dominance, or will the Blackhawks secure another upset?

Colorado Avalanche:  (36-19-5)

The Opponent: Chicago Blackhawks (15-39-5)

Time: 7:30 p.m. MT

Watch: ESPN

Listen: Altitude Sports Radio FM 92.5, AM 950

Opponent’s Beat: Second City Hockey

If you’re tracking the contenders for the Art Ross Trophy and Calder Trophy, you won’t want to miss tonight’s game on @espn. pic.twitter.com/lsGdez8I3Y

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 29, 2024

Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche likely got one of their more gratifying and low-stress victories of the year on Tuesday when they defeated the Dallas Stars at Ball Arena. It might have also been goaltender Alexandar Georgiev’s best performance since the All-Star Break. They also saw contributions from the fourth line, with goals from both Kiviranta and Andrew Cogliano. Contributions came from the fourth line, but the top line truly dominated against the Stars.

@Avalanche thanks for the love! #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/Xp4f7ixqUN

— Adrian Hernandez (@AdoHernandez27) February 29, 2024

I’d expect more of the same tonight, as the Avalanche face an inferior roster and squad that’s well out of playoff contention. Colorado needs to control this one from the onset. Maybe don’t give up a goal in the first minute.

Projected Lineup

Arturri Lehkonen (62) — Nathan MacKinnon (29) — Mikko Rantanen (96)
Miles Wood (28) — Ross Colton (20) — Logan O’Connor (25)
Jonathan Drouin (27) — Ryan Johansen (12) — Zach Parise (9)
Andrew Cogliano (11) — Chris Wagner (14) — Kurtis MacDermid (56)

Devon Toews (7) — Cale Makar (8)
Sam Girard (49) — Josh Manson (42)
Jack Johnson (3) — Bowen Byram (4)

Chicago Blackhawks

Things in Chicago have gone as most predicted this season. The addition of Conor Bedard is genuinely significant, but they won’t see a return on that investment until they have time to surround him with other young, talented players. For now, it’s the Bedard show as he leads the way in both goals and assists for Chicago. Can the young phenom win his team to a victory over one of the West’s best?

Projected Lineup

Anthony Beauvillier (91) — Conor Bedard (98) — Philipp Kurashev (23)

Colin Blackwell (43) — Jason Dickinson (16) — Joey Anderson (15)

Nick Foligno (17) — Tyler Johnson (90) — Taylor Raddysh (11)

Ryan Donato (8) — MacKenzie Entwistle (58) — Reese Johnson (52)

Alex Vlasic (72) — Seth Jones (4)

Kevin Korchinski (55) — Jayson Megna (24)

Jarred Tinordi (25) — Louis Crevier (46)

Goaltenders

It’s yet to be confirmed, but I’d expect best-on-best tonight, which means Alexandar Georgiev vs. Petr Mrazek. On this week’s Mile High Hockey Lab episode, our panel had a slew of hopes featured in our Bold Predictions segment. One of which involved the word that shall not be spoken. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

What are your bold predictions ahead of tonight’s contest?