Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009

Colorado Avalanche (12-4-2) at Chicago Blackhawks (9-5-2), 8:30 p.m.

Fans attending tonight's matchup between the Blackhawks and Avalanche shouldn't make any concrete plans for after the game. After all, the two clubs have made it a habit this year of participating in lengthy shootouts.

The Avalanche and Blackhawks have already skated in 17 shootout rounds this year and meet for the third time this season tonight at the United Center.

Few thought the two clubs could outdo themselves after an epic nine-round shootout in Chicago on October 10, won by the Blackhawks 4-3 when the 18th shooter, Andrew Ladd, beat Avs netminder Craig Anderson stick side past his pad.

However, the two franchises came close last Friday, another 4-3 shootout in Colorado that went eight rounds. Colorado claimed victory this time, as Chris Stewart beat Chicago's Antti Niemi blocker side before Dustin Byfuglien missed on his subsequent attempt to end the game.

Cristobal Huet was in net for Chicago's victory in October and should be tonight as well. He is 3-2-0 with a pair of ties and a 2.39 goals-against average versus the Avalanche.

Anderson, meanwhile, has started both games of this season series for Colorado, which has lost six of the last 10 meetings with Chicago and four of its last five at United Center. He had never faced the 'Hawks before this season.

Anderson was let down by his defense in Sunday's 5-3 loss to Edmonton, Colorado's first at home this year in seven games. The Avalanche entered the game ranked second in the NHL on the penalty kill, but allowed the Oilers to score four times on the power play.

David Jones, Marek Svatos and T.J. Hensick each scored for Colorado, which had a two-game win streak end and failed to set a new club record for best home start to a season. Anderson allowed all five goals on 32 shots.

Colorado, which plays four of its next five on the road, is expected to have Darcy Tucker (head) back in the lineup for the first time since he left the ice on a stretcher versus Carolina on October 23.

"I'm looking forward to getting back into a game situation," Tucker told Colorado's Web site. "My number one goal from the time it happened until now was to get as healthy as I could as quick as I could."

Also, Milan Hejduk could return after missing the Edmonton game with a back injury, while Tom Preissing could make his season debut after offseason knee surgery.

Chicago received a spark from a returning player on Monday, as Jonathan Toews scored in a 4-1 victory over Los Angeles. The Blackhawks captain had missed the previous six games with concussion-like symptoms.

While Toews returned to action, center Dave Bolland was lost for 12-to-16 weeks on Tuesday after undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disk.

Troy Brouwer had a goal and two assists versus the Kings, John Madden and Andrew Ebbett added tallies and both Patrick Sharp and Duncan Keith ended with two assists. Huet made 17 saves.

"We scored early on both the power plays," said Chicago coach Joel Quenneville. "We had some good movement and got the puck to the net which is always key."

Chicago kicked off a four-game homestand and improved to 7-2-1 as the host this year. Colorado is 6-3-2 as the guest.