Semyon Varlamov will make his 18th consecutive appearance, his 16th start in this stretch, when the Avalanche play in Chicago on Tuesday.
The GAME NOTES.
Varlamov has gone 8-3-4 with two no-decisions in his past 17 appearances, 6-1-3 in his past 11 games with a 2.06 goals-against average and .939 save percentage.
Varlamov made 25 saves in the Avalanche's 3-2 overtime loss to the Blackhawks on March 6 at the United Center. He has a career 11-6-2 record against Chicago with two shutouts, a 2.36 goals-against average and .930 save percentage.
The Avalanche begin play holding the second wild card playoff position in the Western Conference with 86 points and 10 games remaining. They trail third-place Minnesota in the Central Division by four points.
Anaheim also has 86 points and has the second wild card. The Avalanche have played one fewer game than the Ducks and have more regulation and overtime wins (38-33).
The Avalanche have gone 7-1-3 in their past 11 games.
"We're excited to be in the position we're in," coach Jared Bednar told reporters. "We know it's going to be a fight to the finish and the most important hockey has yet to come, but I think the work we've done to this point of the year we can be proud of it. Now we've got to go finish the job."
GM Joe Sakic talked about the Avalanche's revival and Hart Trophy candidate Nathan MacKinnon's extraordinary play with NHL.com's Dan Rosen at the NHL meetings in Florida. THE STORY.
Center Carl Soderberg is ill; his status will be a game-time decision. If Soderberg doesn't play, Dominic Toninato will take his spot on the line with Matt Nieto and Blake Comeau.
Forward Colin Wilson will play after missing eight games with a concussion. He'll be on the fourth line with Alexander Kerfoot and Gabriel Bourque.
Jonathan Bernier took part in the morning skate, but Spencer Martin remains the backup. Bernier will miss his fifth game since sustaining his second concussion of the season March 10 against Arizona.
The lineup:
FORWARDS Gabriel Landeskog -- Nathan MacKinnon -- Mikko Rantanen Tyson Jost -- J.T. Compher -- Sven Andrighetto Matt Nieto -- Carl Soderberg/Dominic Toninato -- Blake Comeau Colin Wilson -- Alexander Kerfoot -- Gabriel Bourque
DEFENSE Patrik Nemeth -- Erik Johnson Nikita Zadorov -- Tyson Barrie David Warsofsky -- Samuel Girard
GOALIES Semyon Varlamov Spencer Martin