Colorado at Chicago

The Colorado Avalanche drew the short straw when it came to opening the NHL season. They opened with a pair at home, but are on the road for seven straight and 11 of their next 13. This is a team that struggled more than any down the stretch a year ago, dropping 12 of their last 13 games. Their longest road trip a year ago was six games and they managed just a single win. After a pair of home wins to start the season, they got off to a rocky start on the road vs. Nashville. The Blackhawks will be glad to get things opened up at home, and have been 7-1 as a home favorite of -151 to -200 in their last eight and were 12-5 in their last 17 at home a year ago. The Avalanche need to prove that they can win on the road and nothing indicates that change is in order here, so I'm backing Chicago.