I'm a Hawks fan and was going to pass on their season opener, but then news broke that Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon, easily one of the league's 10 best offensive players, will miss it on the COVID list. The Avs also won't have coach Jared Bednar. They downgraded in net this offseason from Philipp Grubauer to Darcy Kuemper. Chicago upgraded in net with Marc-Andre Fleury, upgraded on the blueline with Seth Jones and upgraded at forward with franchise icon Jonathan Toews back after missing last season due to illness and a trade for Tyler Johnson. I still don't expect Chicago to win (not impossible) but can stay within a goal or lose in OT/shootout

The Blackhawks are expected to get Jonathan Toews back and Marc Andre Fleury will make his debut. The Aves are starting a new goalie in Darcy Keumper who plays well when he is healthy. However, Marc Andre Fleury has played in Colorado and faced the Aves plenty of times. Not only is he more than capable of stealing one, but the Hawks should also be fired up with the return of Jonathan Toews after being out all last season. Take the value in the Hawks on opening night.