CHICAGO — — Nathan MacKinnon had three assists in Colorado’s 4-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night time, serving to the Avalanche turn into the primary NHL staff to clinch a playoff spot this season.
Martin Necas had a aim and two assists for Colorado, which had misplaced 4 of 5. Nazem Kadri, Brock Nelson and Valeri Nichushkin additionally scored.
The league-leading Avalanche (45-13-10) moved four points forward of idle Dallas for the highest spot within the Western Conference.
Wyatt Kaiser scored for Chicago (26-31-12), and Arvid Soderblom stopped 45 photographs.
The last-place Blackhawks performed with out defenseman Louis Crevier and ahead Andrew Mangiapane due to unspecified accidents. They have been damage Thursday night time in a 2-1 victory at Minnesota.
Kadri made it 3-1 with a power-play aim 36 seconds into the third interval. It was Kadri’s second aim in seven video games since he was reacquired by Colorado in a trade with Calgary.
Nichushkin helped shut it out together with his fifteenth aim at 8:34. MacKinnon picked up his team-high 69th help on the play.
Colorado jumped in entrance with two objectives throughout a dominant first interval.
Slick passes by MacKinnon and Nichushkin arrange Necas for his thirty second aim at 13:19, extending his profession excessive. Necas has 10 objectives and 12 assists in his final 13 video games.
Nelson added a power-play aim at 15:22. It was Nelson’s first aim since Feb. 25 and No. 31 on the yr.
Chicago trimmed the deficit to 2-1 on Kaiser’s sixth aim 6:48 into the second. Ryan Greene discovered a streaking Kaiser with a wonderfully positioned cross, and the defenseman beat Mackenzie Blackwood by the goaltender’s legs.
The Avalanche are on the Washington Capitals on Sunday. The Blackhawks host the Nashville Predators on Sunday.
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
