From Chicago to Colorado: The Blackhawks-Avs Rivalry in the Making

When Do the Chicago Blackhawks and the Colorado Avalanche Play Next?

Upcoming game information can be found below. Chicago Blackhawks tickets and Colorado Avalanche tickets can be found on their respective team pages.

Are the Chicago Blackhawks and the Colorado Avalanche Rivals?

Yes, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Colorado Avalanche are rivals in the NHL as members of the Central Division in the Western Conference. Despite the divisional rivalry and frequent regular season gameplay, the Blackhawks vs. Avalanche postseason series has occurred twice, in 1996 and 1997.

Who Are the Chicago Blackhawks’ Biggest Rivals?

The Chicago Blackhawks’ biggest rivals are the Colorado Avalanche, the Dallas Stars, the Minnesota Wild, the Nashville Predators and the St. Louis Blues amongst Central Division opponents, plus their historical rivals the Detroit Red Wings from the NHL’s Original Six era.

Who are the Colorado Avalanche’s Biggest Rivals?

The Colorado Avalanche’s biggest rivals are the Chicago Blackhawks and the Dallas Stars in the Central Division, the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference and the Detroit Red Wings of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference.

Game Results Between the Blackhawks and Avalanche

Of the NHL’s 82 regular season games, fans can expect three to four matchups between the Chicago Blackhawks and Colorado Avalanche each year. The two teams have met 155 times, with the Avs holding a 70-66-9-10 edge.

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Colorado Avalanche Series History

The Blackhawks-Avalanche rivalry stretches back to Colorado’s inaugural 1995-1996 NHL season. In a battle between one of the league’s most storied franchises and the newly-relocated Rocky Mountain club, the Avalanche defeated the Blackhawks in the Western Conference semifinals during the 1996 Stanley Cup Playoffs, 4-2. Ultimately, the Avalanche advanced to raise the Stanley Cup in their first year. The following season, the Blackhawks and Avalanche met in the first round of the 1997 playoffs, resulting in an identical 4-2 outcome in favor of Colorado.

Although the Chicago Blackhawks and Colorado Avalanche rivalry has only yielded two postseason matchups, both clubs have had to endure league-wide dominant stretches from the other. Since Colorado’s debut season championship, the Avalanche and Blackhawks have each claimed three Stanley Cup victories: in 2010, 2013, and 2015 for Chicago, and in 1996, 2001 and 2022 for Colorado.

In 2013, the Avalanche vs. Blackhawks rivalry intensified as Colorado joined Chicago in the Central Division in the Western Conference. In a sign of immediate competition, reigning 2013 divisional champs the Chicago Blackhawks lost the top spot to newcomers the Colorado Avalanche the next season. The Blackhawks won back the Central Division in 2017, while the Avalanche earned back-to-back regular season titles in 2022 and 2023.

Where Do the Colorado Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks Play?

The Colorado Avalanche play at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. Opened in 1999, the multipurpose venue in Denver’s Platte Valley neighborhood also serves as the home arena for the NBA’s Denver Nuggets and the NLL’s Colorado Mammoth. With a seating capacity reaching 17,809 for hockey games, Ball Arena has hosted Stanley Cup Finals games during the Avalanche’s championship runs in 2001 and 2022 as well as the NHL All-Star Game in 2001 and the NCAA Men’s Hockey Frozen Four in 2008.

The Chicago Blackhawks host home games at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. As the second-largest active arena in the NHL, “The UC” can hold between 19,717 and 22,428 fans with hockey seating. Opened in 1994, the United Center is located on Chicago’s Near West Side and earned its nickname “That Madhouse on Madison” from its address at 1901 West Madison Street. Aside from regular season home games for the Blackhawks and the NBA’s Chicago Bulls, notable events at United Center include three Stanley Cup Finals series, in 2010, 2013 and 2015, and the NCAA Men’s Hockey Frozen Four tournament in 2017 and 2028.