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Blackhawks-Avalanche Preview

Apr 8, 2010 - 9:22 PM By ALAN FERGUSON STATS Writer

Chicago (51-22-7) at Colorado (43-29-8), 9:00 p.m. EDT

After setting franchise records for victories and points, the Chicago Blackhawks have one goal remaining in the regular season - finishing atop the Western Conference.

A win Friday night over the Colorado Avalanche would move them a step closer to claiming that spot - and could help set up a playoff matchup with the Avs.

Chicago (51-22-7) clinched its first 50-win season with a 5-2 victory at Dallas on Tuesday night, then reached 109 points for the first time in its 83 seasons by beating St. Louis 6-5 the next evening.

That victory, the fifth in a row for the Blackhawks, moved them into a tie with San Jose for first in the West.

Wins over Colorado and Detroit on Sunday would give Chicago a conference title for the first time since 1992-93.

"We got a little momentum going now," coach Joel Quenneville said. "We'll see what happens in this game and who knows what happens Sunday."

The Blackhawks' two victories over the Avalanche this season came in shootouts. Chicago lost 4-3 in a shootout in its only trip to Denver this season Nov. 6.

Chicago is looking to match a season high with its fourth straight road win. The Blackhawks held on to defeat St. Louis 6-5 at home Wednesday night, though they nearly squandered a five-goal lead.

"In the first 40 minutes, we were in good shape," Quenneville said. "In the third period, we took our foot off the gas and almost gave it away."

The Blackhawks did that in Denver in November, blowing an early two-goal lead. They have dropped 17 of 26 with two ties there all-time.

Antti Niemi, who has made seven straight starts, is 0-1-1 with a 3.85 goals-against average in his career against the Avalanche. Cristobal Huet recorded both shootout wins in the series this season and is 4-2-0 with two ties and a 2.31 GAA all-time versus Colorado.

Whoever starts will face an Avs team that recorded 12 goals in going 2-0-1 in its last three. Colorado was outscored 17-8 in losing the previous four games, a season high.

The Avalanche (43-29-8), however, couldn't hold a 3-0 lead early in the first period Wednesday night and lost 5-4 in overtime at Edmonton.

A defeat Friday will guarantee the Avs an eighth-place finish in the West, and a possible meeting the Blackhawks in the opening round.

"You have to find a way to put a team away when you are up 3-0," forward Cody McLeod said.

After Colorado's Craig Anderson had the night off Wednesday following 10 consecutive starts, the former Blackhawks goaltender could be in net Friday.

Anderson has posted a 2.46 GAA while starting all three matchups with Chicago this season. The Avalanche have gone 3-0-2 in the last five meetings with the Blackhawks.

The status of Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa is uncertain after he left Friday's game with an injury. Hossa, who had a five-game point streak snapped, recorded eight goals and four assists in his last eight games against the Avalanche.

Quenneville said Hossa's injury is not serious.