Chris MacFarland and his retooled Avalanche squad are on a collision course to meet Mikko Rantanen in their search for another Stanley Cup.
Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and two assists as the Colorado Avalanche beat the New Jersey Devils 5-1 in Denver on Wednesday night.
The Rangers are trading Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey to the Avalanche for Juuso Parssinen, Calvin de Haan. Conditional draft picks are also involved.
Chicago had a two-man advantage for 1:52 in the middle of the second period after the Avalanche were called for two penalties in 8 seconds. But the Blackhawks couldn't score.
Jonathan Drouin and Jack Drury scored 52 seconds apart in a three-goal second period and the Colorado Avalanche beat weary Minnesota 5-2 on Friday night to pull even with the third-place Wild in the Central Division.
Mackenzie Blackwood made 22 saves and the Avalanche offense came to life Wednesday night in a victory against the Devils at Ball Arena.
The Colorado Avalanche has a re-tooled roster capable of winning the Stanley Cup, but the cost makes it a huge risk.