Eurolanche

Avs turn to goalie Pickard against Hawks

Season series: The Chicago Blackhawks won their first game against the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center during the middle of their annual "Circus Trip," putting 45 shots on goal against Avalanche rookie goalie Calvin Pickard. Patrick Kane finished with three assists and set up the game-winning goal by left wing Bryan Bickell with 5:17 left in the third period.

Blackhawks (23-10-2) team scope: Chicago lost 5-1 to the Winnipeg Jets at United Center on Tuesday. The game came two days after the Blackhawks were stunned to learn about the death of Clint Reif, 34, their assistant equipment manager. They defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-0 on home ice the day they learned the news (Sunday), but a letdown occurred against Winnipeg. The Jets capitalized by taking a 3-0 lead in the first period and cruising to their second win at United Center this season. The Blackhawks' challenge will be preventing the same thing from happening against Colorado. Veteran defenseman Michal Rozsival, who played 18 straight games heading into the Christmas break, sustained a lower-body injury against Winnipeg and is questionable.

Avalanche (13-13-8) team scope: Colorado went into the break with a three-game winning streak after defeating the Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues. The Avalanche have at least one point in six straight games, but they have a lot of work left to enter the picture for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the Western Conference. Pickard will face the Blackhawks for a second time, even though Semyon Varlamov shut out the Blues in his first game since returning from a groin injury that occurred Dec. 5 against Winnipeg. Coach Patrick Roy said Pickard will likely be returned to the American Hockey League once Varlamov is ready to handle the bulk of the work. Colorado got forward Patrick Bordeleau back for one game before losing him again. After sitting out the first 31 games following offseason back surgery, Bordeleau fractured his kneecap against the Sabres. He is out for at least two months.

-- by Brian Hedger for NHL.com --