Avalanche clinch playoff spot with convincing win over Blackhawks

Martin Necas had a goal and two assists to lead the Colorado Avalanche to a 4-1 win over the host Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night.

Brock Nelson, Nazem Kadri, Valeri Nichushkin also scored for the Avalanche (45-13-10, 100 pts.), who became the first team this season to clinch a playoff spot. Nathan MacKinnon had three assists and Mackenzie Blackwood made 19 saves.

Defenseman Wyatt Kaiser tallied the lone goal for the Blackhawks (26-31-12, 64 pts.), who had been 3-1-1 in their previous five.