Colorado takes on Chicago after Nichushkin's hat trick

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Chicago Blackhawks (20-35-9, in the Central Division) vs. Colorado Avalanche (38-24-2, in the Central Division)

Denver; Monday, 9 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: The Colorado Avalanche host the Chicago Blackhawks after Valeri Nichushkin recorded a hat trick in the Avalanche's 7-4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Colorado has a 9-10-1 record in Central Division play and a 38-24-2 record overall. The Avalanche are 17-6-1 in games they score one or more power-play goals.

Chicago has gone 20-35-9 overall with a 6-11-4 record in Central Division games. The Blackhawks are 11-17-6 when they commit more penalties than their opponent.

Monday's game is the third time these teams match up this season. The Blackhawks won 3-1 in the previous meeting.

TOP PERFORMERS: Nathan MacKinnon has 27 goals and 73 assists for the Avalanche. Cale Makar has five goals and 12 assists over the past 10 games.

Ryan Donato has 23 goals and 25 assists for the Blackhawks. Ilya Mikheyev has scored five goals and added four assists over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Avalanche: 7-3-0, averaging 3.9 goals, seven assists, 3.8 penalties and 9.5 penalty minutes while giving up 2.4 goals per game.

Blackhawks: 3-4-3, averaging 3.4 goals, 5.8 assists, 3.1 penalties and 7.6 penalty minutes while giving up 3.7 goals per game.

INJURIES: Avalanche: None listed.

Blackhawks: None listed.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.