avalanche vs blackhawks is live on the schedule tonight, March 20, 2026, with puck drop set for 6: 30 p. m. ET in Chicago. The Colorado Avalanche arrive coming off a shootout loss to the Dallas Stars and with health issues in the locker room still part of the picture. The Chicago Blackhawks counter with Connor Bedard surging late in the season, and Colorado can clinch a 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs berth by earning at least one point.
Clinching stakes and immediate pressure
The Avalanche enter the night with a simple, urgent target: NHL Public Relations said Colorado can become the first team to clinch a berth in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs if it gets at least one point against Chicago. That makes every shift meaningful, even as Colorado is balancing recent bumps—most notably the shootout defeat to Dallas in its last outing and health issues in the room.
The context around the matchup is tight at the top of the standings: Colorado is two points ahead of Dallas for division supremacy and the Presidents’ Trophy race position referenced around the team. The message is clear inside this game: the process may matter, but the points matter too.
Avalanche lineup focus and the goaltending question
Colorado head coach Jared Bednar struck a measured tone after the shootout loss, emphasizing performance over pure results. Bednar said, “I have very few issues with the way we played. I’ve said it all along, I’m not going to judge our team on results only. I think that’s a losing battle. I think if you play like that, good things will happen. ”
Colorado’s recent run included creating chances at 5-on-5 but failing to beat Jake Oettinger. The shift tonight is whether that volume converts against Chicago. In net, the situation remains a storyline: Scott Wedgewood allowed one goal in what was described as the biggest game of the regular season after previously being chased in a 7-2 loss to Pittsburgh, and there is also a push to see MacKenzie Blackwood get the start and dominate.
Projected Colorado lines listed ahead of the game included Valeri Nichushkin—Nathan MacKinnon—Martin Necas, plus a second unit of Nazem Kadri—Brock Nelson—Nicolas Roy. The defensive pairs shown featured Brett Kulak—Cale Makar, Josh Manson—Brent Burns, and Devon Toews—Sam Malinski.
Avalanche Vs Blackhawks: Bedard’s surge and Chicago’s spoiler edge
Avalanche Vs Blackhawks is also a test of timing: Chicago is leaning into a late-season push, and Bedard is the headline driver. Bedard has 11 points in his last 10 games, and the night comes after he scored a big goal against Minnesota in Chicago’s most recent win referenced in the lead-up.
Behind him, Chicago’s lineup snapshot included Ryan Greene—Connor Bedard—Andre Burakovsky, and Tyler Bertuzzi—Frank Nazar—Teuvo Teravainen. Chicago’s urgency is sharpened by the standings math described: the Blackhawks sit eight points back of the only relatively attainable wild card spot, making this stretch as much about playing spoiler as it is about chasing.
One specific danger sign for Colorado: Chicago is still undefeated when entering the third period with a lead. That puts a premium on Colorado starting fast and keeping the game level or tilted its way early, before the Blackhawks can settle into a protect-and-close posture.
Immediate reactions: Bednar and Blashill set the tone
Bednar’s postgame comments framed Colorado’s mindset heading into Chicago—steady on process, but aware of what the standings demand.
On the Chicago bench, head coach Jeff Blashill pointed to the details that decide matchups like this and the need for stronger starts. Blashill said, “There’s a give and take to those things. ” He also stressed structure as a priority, adding, “Making them defend is really important, ” and set a baseline expectation for his group: “We have to make sure we’re coming out better. ”
What’s next after 6: 30 p. m. ET
If Colorado earns at least one point tonight, it locks in a playoff berth immediately, and the focus can shift toward sharpening form and stabilizing the crease as April approaches. If not, the pressure rolls forward with the division race still tight and Chicago gaining confidence as a spoiler. Either way, the next few hours in Chicago will be measured in points, and avalanche vs blackhawks has real consequences from the opening faceoff to the final horn.
