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Blackhawks wrap homestand against Avalanche

Jan 12, 2011 - 3:55 PM (Sports Network) - The Chicago Blackhawks will take aim at a third straight victory when they host the Colorado Avalanche tonight in the finale of a four- game homestand at the United Center.

The Blackhawks have won two straight and three of their last four games and are coming off Sunday's blowout victory over the visiting New York Islanders.

However, Colorado, which is one point ahead of the Blackhawks for sixth in the Western Conference standings, has won all three meetings this year against Chicago. The Avalanche recorded a 4-3 win in Chicago when the clubs last met on Dec. 15, giving Colorado its sixth victory in the last nine matchups in this series.

Colorado has still lost two of three and five of its last seven in the Windy City.

Marian Hossa ignited a four-goal second period on Sunday as Chicago pounded the Islanders, 5-0, at United Center.

Hossa also set up goals by Dave Bolland and Niklas Hjalmarsson and Corey Crawford turned aside 29 shots to record his second career shutout as the Blackhawks snapped a six-game losing streak to the Islanders. Chicago hadn't beaten New York since December 10, 2002.

"I thought we had a lot of puck possession tonight," said Chicago head coach Joel Quenneville. "I thought we did some good things in the offensive zone."

Chicago is 2-1-0 during the current residency and the defending Stanley Cup champions are 14-11-0 at United Center this season.

The Blackhawks received some good news on Tuesday as the team had four players named to this year's All-Star Game. Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith were voted in by the fans, while Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp were selected by the league.

Colorado, meanwhile, won for just the second time in six contests and improved to 3-5-2 in its last 10 games with Monday's victory over the visiting Detroit Red Wings.

Matt Duchene, who was the lone Avalanche player named to the All-Star Game, had two goals and an assist as Colorado held on for the 5-4 win over the Red Wings at Pepsi Center.

David Jones had a goal and two assists, while Kevin Porter also notched a goal for the Avalanche, who had dropped four of five coming in. Peter Budaj stopped 26 shots in the win.

"We weren't as sharp on the defensive end as we'd like to be, but we got the win and that's all that matters," said Duchene.

Colorado played without forward Cody McLeod (groin) and defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (foot) on Monday. Both players are questionable for tonight.

The Avs are beginning a brief two-game road trip tonight and are 10-7-3 as the host this year.