"I think they're dangerous. They've got guys that can make plays and if you make a mistake, they'll make you pay for it," said head coach Jared Bednar of the Avs' opponent. "They're getting traction now. They're starting to find their game. It's a big test for us. Our game, it has been a little bit in and out and we need to make sure that we're on it tonight. Otherwise, it will be dangerous for us."
The Blackhawks have won three games in a row and are coming off their own 5-1 victory over the Calgary Flames on Tuesday.
Colorado has played well against Chicago in recent years, but the team's success tonight might begin and end with how it starts the contest.
"We need our guys to work and compete at a level that can give us a chance to win. And then not just a short-term response tonight, but long term we got to find a way to have a better start," Bednar said. "We've only scored first in two of eight games. First periods, finding our game right away, getting physical, playing with that passion and energy, that is where it all starts for us. If you have that, then you're going to give yourself a chance systematically to do the right things."
For the players, there are no excuses for having a slow start out of the gate.
"We got to be ready to go. It's as simple as that," said defenseman Fedor Tyutin, who will be back in the Colorado lineup after missing four games with a groin injury. "Everybody individually has got to prepare themselves and be ready to go when the puck drops. Everybody's first shift is very important."
If there is a bright spot from the poor starts is that the Avs have battled back from the deficits in four of those games, tying the score later in the contest and have even pulled out two victories.
However, despite showing the ability to battle back, it's not a situation the players want to constantly be in.
"I think a few of the games lately, we haven't been ready," forward Rene Bourque said. "Get down behind early and it's hard to fight back. It all starts with just shooting pucks on net early, getting to as many pucks, a lot of traffic and hopefully banging in a rebound."
Colorado has had success at the United Center before, as its won five of the last six games in Chicago and is now 7-3-0 in its last 10 visits.
An early goal is the perfect way to give the road team an extra boost and quiet the crowd of more than 20,000 expected this evening.
Game time is set for 6:30 p.m. MT. It will be televised locally on Altitude, while the radio broadcast of the contest will be on 92.5 FM The Wolf and at ColoradoAvalanche.com
