Avalanche Defeat Blackhawks 5-2 in Chicago Showdown

What we said beforehand

The upcoming matchup between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Colorado Avalanche promises to be an intriguing contest, particularly as the Blackhawks look to improve their home record at the United Center. Currently, Chicago holds a home record of 4-9-1, while Colorado boasts a stronger away record of 8-5-1. This game is set to start on November 3, 2026, at 01:00 UTC.

Chicago's recent form has been challenging, with the team losing four of its last five games. They suffered defeats against the Montreal Canadiens (4-1), Florida Panthers (3-2), Detroit Red Wings (4-1), and Boston Bruins (5-4 in overtime). Their only win during this stretch came against the Los Angeles Kings with a score of 2-1. The Blackhawks have averaged 2.0 goals scored and 3.4 goals allowed in their last five games, indicating a struggle to find the back of the net while also conceding too many goals.

On the other hand, the Colorado Avalanche enter this game with a more favorable outlook, having won three of their last five games. Their recent victories include a 6-3 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning, a 5-2 win over the New Jersey Devils, and a 5-2 win against the Calgary Flames. However, they also faced losses against the New Jersey Devils (4-3) and the Nashville Predators (6-2). The Avalanche have been scoring an average of 4.2 goals while allowing 3.4 goals in their last five outings.

When considering home and away performances, the Blackhawks have struggled significantly at home, with a record of 3-7 in their last ten games at the United Center. They have averaged 2.2 goals scored and 3.6 goals allowed during this period. In contrast, the Avalanche have a more balanced away record of 5-5 in their last ten games, scoring an average of 3.6 goals and allowing 3.3 goals.

Historically, the Blackhawks have not fared well against the Avalanche in their recent meetings, losing all three encounters this season. The most recent game took place on March 21, 2026, where the Blackhawks lost 4-1 at home. Previous meetings also saw the Blackhawks fall 1-3 on February 28, 2026, and 0-1 on November 24, 2025.

In terms of injuries, the Blackhawks will be without Bowen Byram due to an upper body injury. The Avalanche will miss Josh Manson, who is out with an ankle injury, and Zachary L'Heureux, who is on injured reserve with an upper body issue. These absences could impact both teams as they look to secure a win.

The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, has Colorado favored at -230, with a spread of 1.5 and a total of 6.5 goals for the game. The odds for the over are set at 105.0, while the under is at -125. The moneyline reflects the Avalanche's strong position as they travel to face the Blackhawks, who are listed at +190 on the moneyline.

As for the conditions, the matchup will take place at the United Center, where the Blackhawks will seek to leverage their home ice advantage despite their recent struggles. Fans can expect a competitive game as both teams aim to capitalize on their scoring opportunities.

Viewers should watch for Chicago's Roman Kantserov, who leads the team with 5 goals, and Patrick Kane, who has contributed 8 assists. For Colorado, Nathan MacKinnon stands out with 15 assists and 24 points, while Artturi Lehkonen leads the team with 12 goals. The performance of these key players could be pivotal in determining the outcome of this matchup.