Rantanen Extends Point Streak as Avalanche Face Blackhawks

Colorado Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen extended his point streak to 14 games as the team defeated the Florida Panthers 3-1 on Monday. Rantanen scored an empty-net goal, tying his NHL career-high and bringing his total to 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists) during the streak. The Avalanche (25-15-1) now face the Chicago Blackhawks (13-25-2) at United Center on Wednesday.

Rantanen is the third Finland-born player in NHL history with multiple point streaks of at least 14 games, joining Jari Kurri and Teemu Selanne. The Avalanche have been dominant during Rantanen’s streak, going 11-2-1 in their last 14 games. Nathan MacKinnon has also been instrumental, recording 26 points (five goals, 21 assists) in that span.

The Blackhawks, meanwhile, are struggling, having lost six of their last seven games. Forward Connor Bedard has been a bright spot, with points in all seven of those games. Bedard is the fourth Blackhawks teenager in the past 50 years to have a point streak of at least seven games, joining Eddie Olczyk, Jeremy Roenick, and Patrick Kane.

Wednesday’s game will be a test for both teams. The Avalanche are looking to maintain their momentum, while the Blackhawks aim to snap their losing skid. The game will be nationally televised in the United States on MAX and TNT, and in Canada on TVAS.